The NFX Podcast

The podcast dives into the unseen power of network effects in shaping our lives. It reveals how the places we live and the people we associate with influence our decisions, from careers to personal relationships. Listeners learn about the importance of recognizing these dynamics at critical life crossroads. The discussion highlights how merging networks in marriage and selecting cities based on connections can lead to more fulfilling lives. It's a compelling exploration of the interconnectedness that drives our everyday choices.

In this episode, James Currier delves into the power law in network effects and its impact. He explores the transition from an agrarian to a networked economy, discusses the perception of status in this new system, and examines the social and economic impacts of network effect businesses. He also discusses changing social contracts and the role of an ombudsman in network effect businesses. We spend a lot of time teaching Founders how to use network effects to create these giant, world-changing businesses, but we think that too little has been said about how society should adapt to these new network effect behemoths we’re helping create. This episode is hosted by general partner James Currier as he discusses how network effect businesses are reshaping the world, why it's our responsibility to design and thoughtfully set up social contracts with our different constituents, and the need to have a perspective about what you are giving and getting from the people on these networks. This is an audio version of episode 7 from The Network Effects Masterclass, curated for audio and listening on the go. For the full video experience, transcripts, and recommended reading, join the free Network Effects Masterclass at - NFX.com/masterclass. (0:00) Introduction to the episode and network effects (1:12) The power law in network effects and its impact (3:03) Transition from agrarian to networked economy (5:50) Perception of status in the networked economy (7:24) Impact of network effect businesses on society and economy (10:17) Changing social contracts in the networked economy (14:21) Ongoing social contract between businesses and network users - Part II (15:19) Role of an ombudsman in network effect businesses (16:50) Closing remarks and promotion for upcoming episodes

In this episode, Nick Goldner and Jacob Glanville share their founder journeys and discuss platform technologies in biotech. They delve into the business models of Resistance Bio and Sentivax, strategies for infectious diseases, and the challenges of scientific entrepreneurship. The conversation shifts to fundraising experiences and understanding investor feedback, concluding with visions for the future of biotech. In biology we have a saying: what doesn’t kill you mutates and tries again. Cancer. Deadly viruses. These problems are so hard to tackle because the goalposts are always moving. Thanks to evolution, these diseases often outpace therapies and vaccines. Today, NFX General Partner and Head of NFX Bio Omri Amirav-Drory is sitting down with two Founders using platforms to stay a step ahead of evolution. Jacob Glanville, Founder of Centivax, has developed a platform to create broad spectrum vaccines capable of arming the immune system against rapidly mutating viruses (like COVID-19 or influenza). Nick Goldner, Founder of resistanceBio, discusses his approach for mapping all the possible resistance paths a cancer can take in the human body – and developing therapies to shut those escape routes down. Here’s why we need platforms to tackle biology’s biggest problems, what it takes to build a platform company, and their advice for fundraising in Techbio. (0:00) Introduction to the episode and guests (1:45) Founders' journeys: Nick Goldner and Jacob Glanville (8:19) Discussion on platform technologies in biotech (23:30) In-depth look at Resistance Bio and Sentivax's platforms and business models (28:45) Strategies for addressing infectious diseases (34:15) Overcoming challenges in scientific entrepreneurship (34:59) Transition to discussing fundraising experiences (43:42) Understanding the investor's perspective and adapting based on feedback (47:34) Vision for the future of their platforms and the intersection of biology and technology (51:33) Outro and podcast reminders

null These are case studies and stories that outline network effects in the wild - it is a montage of how big tech companies like Trulia, Meta, Uber, and even Bitcoin navigate their defensibility over time. For the best experience of this episode, watch our case studies at nfx.com/masterclass or by searching on YouTube to get the visual side of these deep dives. That was episode 6 of 11, from the Network effects masterclass. Stay tuned and subscribe as next up is Ep. 7 - Network Problems Demand Network Solutions, here on the NFX podcast. This is an audio version of episode 6 from The Network Effects Masterclass, curated for audio and listening on the go. For the full video experience, transcripts, and recommended reading, join the free Network Effects Masterclass at - NFX.com/masterclass.

Learn about network bonding theory and how to build network effects startups. Topics discussed include turning companies into networks, compensating nodes with non-fungible tokens, network-on-network competition, and examples of network bonding and attacks.

In this episode, Pete Flint discusses the four major defensibilities in the digital world: network effects, brand, embedding, and scale. He emphasizes the importance of these defensibilities in early-stage startups and explains why focusing on network effects can be more beneficial than scale effects. The episode also explores the role of intellectual property in certain categories and how to incorporate different forms of defensibility over time. Durability = Network Effects + Economies of Scale + Brand + Embedding + IP. Learn about these other 4 strategies for startup durability outside of network effects from NFX General Partner, Pete Flint. Value creation mostly accrues in the out-years when usage, revenue, and growth compound. Founders who win big spend more time at the beginning on creating products and business mechanisms that follow these five durability factors and thus drive increasing returns at scale. This is an audio version of episode 4 from The Network Effects Masterclass, curated for audio and listening on the go. For the full video experience, transcripts, and recommended reading, join the free Network Effects Masterclass at - NFX.com/masterclass. (0:00) Introduction to the episode: The 4 pillars of defensibility with Pete Flint (1:09) Creation of a marketplace in the US real estate industry: Pete Flint's journey (2:52) The importance of defensibility in early-stage startups (3:29) The four major defensibilities in the digital world: network effects, brand, embedding, and scale (8:43) The concept of embedding as a form of defensibility with examples (11:23) Scale as a form of defensibility: concept and significance (15:26) Network effects vs scale effects: Why early-stage startups should focus on network effects (16:21) The role of IP as a form of defensibility in certain categories (17:06) Incorporating a combination of defensibilities in a startup over time (24:00) Exploring related material on NFX.com (29:00) Sponsor: ${name}

In this episode, James Currier dives into the Network Effects Masterclass, exploring various types of network effects. He discusses personal utility, direct, marketplace, platform, expertise, and data network effects, with examples from Bit Torrent and Skype. He also explores social or human, tribal, and hub and spoke network effects, emphasizing their cultural and business influence. Unlock the NFX map to understand how each network effect works — in episode 3 of the Network Effects Masterclass, General Partner James Currier will review the 16 types of network effects and how they reinforce each other in powerful ways. Learn to analyze the NFX map to determine how to engineer sustained, long-term growth into your startup. This is an abridged version of episode 3 from The Network Effects Masterclass, curated for audio and listening on the go. For the full video experience, transcripts, and recommended reading, join the free Network Effects Masterclass at - NFX.com/masterclass. (0:00) Introduction to the episode and the Network Effects Masterclass (1:17) Overview of different types of network effects (4:00) Deep dive into personal utility and direct network effects with examples (6:06) Examination of marketplace and platform network effects (10:29) Understanding expertise and data network effects (14:09) Tech performance as a network effect: Bit Torrent and Skype as examples (15:16) Social or human network effects: Language as the first example (17:38) Tribal network effect and its influence on business and product design (19:32) The cultural aspect of the bandwagon effect (20:47) Exploration of the hub and spoke network effect (22:58) The journey and excitement in reinforcing network effects

Unlearn what you thought you knew about network effects. This episode takes you to the very beginning and lays out network theory from square one. Listen in as James covers the basics of network principles to use as a launchpad for the rest of the course and see how your startup behaves as a network itself. This is an abridged version of episode 2 from The Network Effects Masterclass, curated for audio and listening on the go. For the full video experience, transcripts, and recommended reading, join the free Network Effects Masterclass at - NFX.com/masterclass. (0:00) Introduction to episode 2: The Underlying Properties of Network Theory (1:06) Fundamental properties of a network: nodes, links, and structures (3:22) Understanding network structures, shapes, and associated laws (6:07) Reaching critical mass in a network & building clustering coefficients (8:46) The importance and impact of real IDs in network properties (12:57) Example of a marketplace network: Outdoorsy and Lending Club (15:13) Avoiding negative network effects and dealing with network pollution (18:30) Overcoming business growth challenges: Chicken or egg problem and multi-tenanting (20:57) The difference between network effects and viral effects (24:39) Understanding viral growth: the concept of K factor and the need for constant reinvention (27:29) Announcement: Release schedule for upcoming NFX podcast episodes (27:35) Sponsor: NFX masterclass available online

In this episode, James Currier provides a masterclass on Network Effects. He discusses his experiences, understanding, and the evolution of network effects in companies like Monster.com, Apple, and Salesforce. The episode explores the history and importance of network effects with examples from marketplaces, AT&T, and Microsoft, and presents case studies on Facebook and WhatsApp. The episode also teases upcoming content. Few understand the hidden complexities of network effects - learn all there is to know about building iconic companies from day one. This is episode 1 of the Network Effects Masterclass (audio edition). You'll hear a short introduction from NFX Partner James Currier on what you will learn in this masterclass to build your company into the next world-class startup and understand why network effects are the #1 advantage in driving exponential growth. This is an abridged version of episode 1 from The Network Effects Masterclass, curated for audio and listening on the go. For the full video experience, transcripts, and recommended reading, join the free Network Effects Masterclass at - NFX.com/masterclass. Stay tuned for weekly episodes until we finish the course. (0:00) Introduction to the Network Effects MasterClass (1:30) The hosts' experience with network effects in companies and their significance (4:12) Realization and evolution of network effects in companies like Monster.com, Apple, and Salesforce (5:38) Understanding what network effects are and what they are not (7:05) History and importance of network effects, examples from marketplaces, AT&T, and Microsoft (10:14) The historical context of network effects and the emergence of web 3 (12:20) Case studies: Facebook and WhatsApp (12:43) Conclusion and next episode teaser

In this episode, James Currier delves into the significance of network effects, providing insights on their impact on startups and daily life. Also included is an introduction to a master class on network effects. At NFX, we've spent over 20 years studying the power of network effects. As founders, we’ve built them into companies worth $10B+. As investors, we teach our founders these playbooks. Now we’re putting everything we know into an 11-episode Network Effects Masterclass, made for early-stage startup founders and their teams. There will be a full video and transcript experience on NFX.com — but we’re also abridging each episode for a native audio experience here for our NFX podcast listeners. Few understand the hidden complexities of network effects - learn everything there is to know about building iconic companies from day one. Coming soon to The NFX Podcast. (0:00) The Importance of Network Effects - James Currier (0:34) Master Class Introduction - James Currier (1:07) Understanding Network Effects - James Currier (1:50) Impact of Network Effects on Life and Startups - James Currier (2:09) Sponsor: Network Effects Master Class - MC