Disrupting disruption with disruptive disruptions since 2010.
Selling directly to individual consumers, requiring massive scale and viral growth to be venture-viable.
A startup accelerator that funds, mentors, and networks early-stage companies for 3 months. Getting into YC is simultaneously a blessing and the quickest way to become overconfident.
A small-scale demonstration that your idea actually works before you burn through millions scaling something that doesn't.
Proof that actual humans are willing to pay actual money for your product, the ultimate validation for the venture capital community.
The introduction of something new—a fresh idea, process, or product that differs from the status quo. The corporate world's favorite word to slap on anything that isn't from 1987.
Sequential funding rounds labeled alphabetically, each supposedly representing the company's progression from barely-viable to 'we probably need more money anyway.'
Serviceable Obtainable Market—what you can realistically capture in the first 3-5 years. It's the intersection of TAM, SAM, and aggressive optimism.
Cloud-based software customers pay for monthly/yearly as subscriptions instead of licensing, the dominant startup business model.
How much money your subscription business expects to make monthly from existing customers. The metric that makes founders feel slightly less broke.
The engineering audit where technical experts examine your code, architecture, and tech debt to see if you're about to implode.
Section 409A of the tax code that requires startup stock options to be valued at fair market value when granted; 101 refers to California corporate code. It's basically the IRS saying 'no, you can't just give away equity tax-free.'
Sequential rounds of venture funding with progressively larger checks and increasingly skeptical investors asking harder questions.
Money from professional investors betting billions annually that 1% of startups will become unicorns. A mostly efficient system for transferring wealth from LPs to founders (and from founders to VCs).
The process of pitching your deck to many investors in sequence, iterating based on feedback. Like a miserable version of speed dating.
That mythical moment when your product stops being something you force people to use and they actually want it. Also known as 'the point founders finally sleep at night.'
An independent contractor hired on a project basis rather than as a full-time employee. Startups use them to avoid benefits/taxes, contractors love them for flexibility.
Venture Capitalist or Venture Capital—investors who bet on high-risk, high-reward startups in exchange for equity. They're basically professional optimists with other people's money.
An SEC regulation allowing private companies to raise money from unlimited accredited investors without formal SEC registration. It's basically the loophole that makes startup funding possible.
Being the first to boldly venture into uncharted territory—whether that's a new market, technology, or increasingly, a niche on TikTok. The marketing term for 'we did it before it was cool.'
A mechanism where existing users naturally bring in new users, creating exponential growth without paid advertising. It's the holy grail that almost nobody actually achieves.
A market opportunity that nobody has thoroughly exploited yet, either because it's genuinely undiscovered or because nobody cares.
Selling to other companies rather than consumers, typically involving longer sales cycles and higher contract values.
Groups of angel investors or VCs pooling resources to make a larger investment than they could individually, because apparently teamwork makes the dream work.
Large organizations like pension funds, insurance companies, or endowments that invest in venture funds, adding legitimacy and money but no direct feedback.