On Startups
Product Zeitgeist Fit (Video)
If you want to build or spot the next big thing really early, don’t look for what’s working — look for what isn’t but people still really care about. (Dec 2019)
How to do a Reference Call
I've done >1000 reference calls. They can be the most valuable data for hiring & investing. But the reality is most "references" are a waste of time. Four principles for making them helpful. (June 2022)
Prioritizing Investor Meetings
As founder I prioritized meeting investors who would jam with me on product. I thought they "got us." I was totally wrong. (April 2019)
Does Brand Matter for Startups?
Contrary to popular opinion, I think focusing on brand early in the life of your company is valuable. (Jan 2019)
T-shirt Theory
Hypothesis: early test for founders on whether you’re building something interesting is if people are trying to affiliate with your project. Call it the t-shirt theory (July 2018)
“I’ve seen this before, it didn’t work”
If you’re a founder you’ve probably heard someone say “oh, I’ve seen this idea before - it didn’t work” or “isn’t this just like that other thing that person/company X tried?” (July 2018)
The ___ Economy
Ever notice how there is always a new “The ____ Economy” trending? While the instinct might be to roll your eyes at the lack of creativity, there is a lesson for founders and investors in its incredible longevity. (Dec 2019)
On Network Effects
Hidden Network Effects
How hidden network effects are hidden advantages for startups. (July 2019)
Dynamics of Network Effects
Not all network effects are created equal and they don’t evolve equally either. (Dec 2018)
16 Ways to Measure Network Effects
Metrics to help you understand if your network effect is working or not. (Dec 2018)
On Solopreneurs
As More Workers Go Solo, the Software Stack Is the New Firm
The next generation of great companies will provide integrated, vertical software for individuals going solo.
On Marketplaces
Slack Debate on Marketplaces
A slack debate with a16z colleagues on the trends in marketplaces in 2021. (March 2021)
The Next Wave of Marketplace Startups (Podcast)
We discuss the most promising marketplace companies and categories in 2021. (March 2021)
a16z Marketplace 100
An annual ranking of the largest consumer-facing marketplace startups & private companies. (March 2021)
Four Path to Marketplace Success
When look at frequency of use and transaction size, there’s more than one way to build a successful marketplace. (Feb 2020)
13 Metrics for Marketplaces
A primer on the key metrics marketplace founders should be aware of, both to calibrate their performance and evaluate future potential. (Feb 2020)
Trust, The Sharing Economy and Behavioral Economics
4 Lessons from Behavioral Economics for the Sharing Economy (July 2016)
On Social Networks
Community Takes All: The Power of Social+
There’s one rule of thumb that’s proven true over and over again: the best version of every consumer product is the one that’s intrinsically social. (Dec 2020)
Slack Debate on Competing vs Unbundling in Social
The big social networks are massive and horizontal. So should entrepreneurs attempt to steal away a chunk of that market or rip it apart and go vertical? (Dec 2020)
When Social Meets Fintech (Podcast)
We discuss why the “holy grail” of social plus fintech is both so challenging and, potentially, so rewarding. (Jan 2020)
The Next Social Networks
If I were starting another company today I’d probably build something around social networks. (July 2019)
On The Future of Work
'Deep' Job Platforms and How to Build Them
While COVID-19 has thrown the labor market in a state of chaos and uncertainty, it has also accelerated an evolution that has been years in the making: the rise of the “deep” job platform. (Sept 2020)
COVID-19 and The Great Rehiring
Over 25M Americans have been laid off. When we emerge from this crisis, it's clear that the ways we currently hire and get hired—LinkedIn, staffing agencies, "networking"—are inadequate for the enormity of the task. There's a better way. (May 2020)
2010 vs 2020
If the 2010s were about the gig economy, the 2020s will be able the “real jobs” economy. Helping create full time careers with higher long term earning potential. (Jan 2020)
Platform vs. Verticals and the Next Great Unbundling
Looking at verticals within the broad horizontal platforms that are near their breaking point is like a cheat code for a cheat code: if you’re paying attention, it will point you to the next great unbundling and where the next wave of opportunity and innovation will come from. (Feb 2019)
On ecommerce
Judo-amazonomics?
Lots of people are simply afraid to compete with them. It fuels a fear flywheel that clears out the competition. I think the brave and crafty will use it as an opportunity. Judo-amazonomics? (Aug 2018)
esports vs ecommerce
Theory: esports is to traditional sports as ecommerce is to brick & mortar retail. 3 similarities. 1 difference. (Oct 2018)
On Edtech
Are ISAs the Solution to Student Debt? (Podcast)
A bold proposal: You go to college for free, then pay back the school after graduation—but only if you get a job in your field of study and make a high enough salary to afford it. (Dec 2019)
What's Next For Education Startups
in this a16z hallway conversation, we chat about the future of education. (Jan 2019)