Some interesting links we found across the web this week:
Postscript: Bill Campbell, 1940-2016
He may not be the most globally famous person who passed away this
week, but Bill Campbell's quiet influence on the titans of
Silicon Valley shaped the startup market and its culture from the
very beginning. If you're not familiar with his story, now is
the time.
On the Road to Recap: Why the Unicorn Financing
Market Just Became Dangerous...For All Involved
Bill Gurley of Benchmark Capital made waves yesterday with a
5,700-word essay dissecting the precarious market for startups with
the very highest valuations. Reaction has been
widespread—Re/code has a quick summary of
Gurley's piece if you're too busy, but Brad Feld implores you to
read every word.
As VCs enroll the startup class of 2016, it's
RIP for 'me too' companies
"Good artists copy, great artists steal." It's a
mainstay concept in the startup world and has led to limitless
elevator pitches like "Uber for X." The right copycat
concept can attract venture capital, but is this the year investors
finally put their foot down?
How To Approach The Topic Of Equity Compensation
In Your Startup
Solid advice on balance: incenvitiving your team while keeping your
capital structure sustainable. Worth a bookmark for early-stage
founders.
The
Secret History of Agile Innovation
The "Agile movement"
sets the project management principles of tech companies large and
small, but it's an older concept than you might think. Dig into
this mini-history from the Harvard Business Review.
Three Curveballs of Public Equity
Crowdfunding
We're just a few weeks away from May 16, when the SEC's new
equity crowdfunding rules take effect, allowing non-accredited
investors (English: everyday people regardless of income) to invest
in early-stage startups. It's not a viable funding method for
every company, so make sure you understand the risks involved. This
piece from Forbes is here to help.
Links compiled by Jared Brenner.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
