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Paul Graham’s Checklist, Would You Make The Cut?

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Re: Paul Graham’s Checklist, Would You Make The Cut?

#4
post #2

Anyone else not want to watch a video to see a checklist? Anyone kind enough to paste notes?

Sure, but it's nothing that we haven't heard before. Every startup faces moments of uncertainty and the feeling of impending doom, and founders that know each other are more likely to stick through hard times due to the pair bond. See, if the only thing holding two people together is the potential success of the startup, they're more likely to jump ship when the going gets tough. If the founders are friends, they'll weather the storm out of sake of the friendship, and have greater chance of getting lucky.

So...

PM me if you are interested in working on a side project together and nurturing a friendship based on shared values.

Re: Paul Graham’s Checklist, Would You Make The Cut?

#5
post #2

Anyone else not want to watch a video to see a checklist? Anyone kind enough to paste notes?

PG's Startup Checklist

Been friends

Worked together for awhile

Don't come together for only the startup

If close friends, stick with it even if things look bad because things eventually get better.

Don't want companies run by committee.

Need clear leadership, don't want unclear sense of who the primary decision maker is. Want to know who they should address a question to.

But not a megalomaniac, just want somebody who steps forward.

Founder power is increasing, investor power waning, probably good because those most knowledgeable getting more power.

Lot cheaper to start a startup these days.

More socially acceptable to start a startup these days.

Conway said a lot of his portfolio companies were in New York these days.

----

I hate watching videos too as interesting as PG is to watch, I took the hit for the rest of ya.

(I read much faster than anyone can possibly speak.)

Re: Paul Graham’s Checklist, Would You Make The Cut?

#7
post #5
post #2

Anyone else not want to watch a video to see a checklist? Anyone kind enough to paste notes?

PG's Startup Checklist Been friends Worked together for awhile Don't come together for only the startup If close friends, stick with it even if things look bad because things eventually get better. Don't want companies run by committee. Need clear leadership, don't want unclear sense of who the primary decision maker is. Want to know who they should address a question to. But not a megalomaniac, just want somebody wh…

This does not convey the sentiment that Paul expressed.

I took away : friends will work on a project through the bad times out of loyalty (which happens to be a good thing), while co founders who were not friends will bail at the point when the walls come crashing down.

Re: Paul Graham’s Checklist, Would You Make The Cut?

#9
post #7
post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

PG's Startup Checklist Been friends Worked together for awhile Don't come together for only the startup If close friends, stick with it even if things look bad because things eventually get better. Don't want companies run by committee. Need clear leadership, don't want unclear sense of who the primary decision maker is. Want to know who they should address a question to. But not a megalomaniac, just want somebody wh…

This does not convey the sentiment that Paul expressed. I took away : friends will work on a project through the bad times out of loyalty (which happens to be a good thing), while co founders who were not friends will bail at the point when the walls come crashing down.

That's what I meant to express precisely. I'm sorry you were dissatisfied but I was fighting leiningen and swank-clojure while transcribing.

You may have your refund of $0.00 for my services in two weeks.

Re: Paul Graham’s Checklist, Would You Make The Cut?

#10
post #7
post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

PG's Startup Checklist Been friends Worked together for awhile Don't come together for only the startup If close friends, stick with it even if things look bad because things eventually get better. Don't want companies run by committee. Need clear leadership, don't want unclear sense of who the primary decision maker is. Want to know who they should address a question to. But not a megalomaniac, just want somebody wh…

This does not convey the sentiment that Paul expressed. I took away : friends will work on a project through the bad times out of loyalty (which happens to be a good thing), while co founders who were not friends will bail at the point when the walls come crashing down.

Also, he stated that every startup will go through such a phase, where it seems that there's really no point in continuing. Even with startups that are bound to be really successful, the founders first have to find some way to get through that rut. If the founders were already good friends, they will pull each other through it, if for no other reason but because they enjoy working together.
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