I've been chatting to a family friend who has started a business.
Doing everything right, IMO
He's already at break-even, but has "so many things going on, how do I prioritise??"
Clearly stressed.
This is what I told him 🧵
Things you absolutely don’t need to launch:
- a favicon
- unit tests
- a logo
- an LLC
- tax compliance
- VAT handling
- a merchant of record
- terms and conditions
- a privacy policy
- a copyright notice
- a trademark
- commit messages
- code reviews
- code comments
- a deployment system
- continuous integration
- docker
- a web framework
- monitoring
- pager duty
- reset password
- dark mode
- a nosql database
- serverless functions
- cloudflare
- a load balancer
- a twitter handle
- multiple pricing plans
- purchasing power parity
- a blog
- a roadmap
- animations
- a changelog
- venture capital
- an affiliate program
- a system status page
Things you absolutely need to launch:
- some way to bring attention to your product
Founders do not use fundraising agents to raise your round.
#1 role of the CEO is fundraising. Show your outbound sales skills. Do not outsource this.
They create a chasm between VC <> Founder.
They charge crazy fees.
They are unnecessary with the transparency in VC.
What the @#*($&# is product market fit?
I've been trying to study PM fit for the last decade. First with my own startup (that never reached PM fit) and then with my < 300 companies I've invested in and the tens of thousands I've reviewed. Here are my thoughts on PM fit:
Speaking of good people doing important things: congratulations @KateKendall and @wealybin on what you’ve achieved this year. Atto’s female founder programs are 99% goodness (may include traces of nuts).
We’ve spent some time reflecting on what Atto has developed throughout 2022. Over on the blog we’ve shared a snapshot of what the team @katekendall & @wealybin have achieved.
We're now signing off for 2022! See you in 2023 for a new year & new programs!
https://t.co/0euZVvQWoT
We recently wrapped up our forth Atto Accelerator program!
In 2022, we had #founders solving problems through technology in relation to health, fashion & sustainability, community, as well as education.
Meet the 10 #startups & #femalefounders here:
https://t.co/0jJ9cSGVGM
Such a privilege to support these ambitious @attovc#founders to build #startups on their own terms. 🚀
The juggle is real + these women were so dedicated during the #Accelerator. 🌟
Amazing to see founders reach their goals in just a few months! 📈
https://t.co/Zg3XXtiNIa
Wrapping up our Atto Accelerator 2022 batch this week. 🚀
We’re so proud of the teams and how far they’ve come. 👏💙
Thanks to our judges for their great questions as usual.
Before you build a startup write down…
1. The customer
2. Their problems
3. Current solutions
4. Your solution
5. Why now
6. Why you
The last two are most important. Market timing and founder fit.
Got invited to judge a pitch competition. I take a look at the companies pitching. Out of 30- ONE female founder.
Declined. I’m not gonna be your splash of “diversity” when clearly you DGAF about diversity.
ONE of 30? inexcusable.
"Highly recommend these events by Atto. They're intimate online events with fascinating women speakers. Real talk." – Kat from @CopySmiths
Join us Wed 2 Nov for Office Hours with Sarah Agboola from @mtimeservices on the realities of building a startup:
https://t.co/fKamsChaag