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I've built up an arsenal of geeky metaphors to help scientists make sense of startups and entrepreneurship.
Figured it might make for a fun
to share a few here... /1
Figured it might make for a fun
to share a few here... /1
[Chemistry] Your startup is a chemical rxn. Value prop dictates thermo, business model dictates kinetics. Success requires [A] an exothermic reaction (products more valuable than reactants) & [B] overcoming activation barriers (fundraising, distribution, etc.). /2
![[Chemistry] Your startup is a chemical rxn. Value prop dictates thermo, business model dictates kinetics. Success requires [A] an exothermic reaction (products more valuable than reactants) & [B] overcoming activation barriers (fundraising, distribution, etc.). /2](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EuJMYfnU4AMljj7.png "[Chemistry] Your startup is a chemical rxn. Value prop dictates thermo, business model dictates kinetics. Success requires [A] an exothermic reaction (products more valuable than reactants) & [B] overcoming activation barriers (fundraising, distribution, etc.). /2")
[Newtonian Mechanics] Entrepreneurship is about punching above your weight and leveraging resources outside of your direct control. Always seek leverage points. /3
![[Newtonian Mechanics] Entrepreneurship is about punching above your weight and leveraging resources outside of your direct control. Always seek leverage points. /3](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EuJPO-VVEAIBapl.jpg "[Newtonian Mechanics] Entrepreneurship is about punching above your weight and leveraging resources outside of your direct control. Always seek leverage points. /3")
[Optics] There is a broad spectrum of approaches to get new technologies to market. Capital sources are bandpass filters. Understand the incentives and constraints of your funders before you take their $. /4
![[Optics] There is a broad spectrum of approaches to get new technologies to market. Capital sources are bandpass filters. Understand the incentives and constraints of your funders before you take their $. /4](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EuJP4ZIVIAQwOZt.jpg "[Optics] There is a broad spectrum of approaches to get new technologies to market. Capital sources are bandpass filters. Understand the incentives and constraints of your funders before you take their $. /4")
[Basic algebra] VCs never invest in a point. They are far more interested in the shape of the curve and the derivatives. Build your entire story and pitch around d[value/risk]/d[t]. /5
[Electrochemistry] VC backed startups are optimized for high current, not high efficiency. The system is meant to be operated out of equilibrium w/ high over-potentials. Thermal loss & side reactions are expected - your job is to manage those & avoid runaway reactions. /6
![[Electrochemistry] VC backed startups are optimized for high current, not high efficiency. The system is meant to be operated out of equilibrium w/ high over-potentials. Thermal loss & side reactions are expected - your job is to manage those & avoid runaway reactions. /6](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EuMSoPUVcAE6448.jpg "[Electrochemistry] VC backed startups are optimized for high current, not high efficiency. The system is meant to be operated out of equilibrium w/ high over-potentials. Thermal loss & side reactions are expected - your job is to manage those & avoid runaway reactions. /6")
[Wave theory] First time entrepreneurs often make the mistake of focusing on phase velocity. Don't get burned out chasing the ups and downs of each wave -- all that matters is group velocity (and the two are not necessarily correlated). /7
So many fun direction to go here. Evolutionary biology of pivots, inflation theory of SPACs, special relativity of fundraising...
What you got, nerdy tech founder twitterverse? /8
What you got, nerdy tech founder twitterverse? /8
Dig this thread? Check out http://activate.org/learn where we've published some longer form content to help scientists grok hard tech entrepreneurship. Nearly impossible w/o somehow getting it wrong, but we're gonna try...
Wanna help? DM me we're hiring.
Wanna help? DM me we're hiring.
