Ran Wei Baker’s Post

In the Product world, there’s a tendency to believe that if you just copy a top companies’ homework, you’ll wind up with the same grade. 📝 But did you know that over 50% of startups that go through Y Combinator have folded by the 12 year mark? YC is the most successful start-up accelerator, with successes like Airbnb, Stripe and DoorDash under their belt, yet only half the start-ups that come through their doors make it to an exit. The lesson here is that there’s no one-size fits all approach to long-term success in product. 👈 What works for one business, may not work at another. 🚫 I’m not suggesting we shouldn’t take notes from top performing businesses, there’s tons to be learned from their success. But it’s not about trying to find a silver bullet. It’s about taking those learnings and adapting them to our own context. 💡 💬 Ever tried taking a page from a top company's playbook? How did it work out? Share your story below! 👇 #product #technology #strategy #leadership

Exciting News: I've been selected for the prestigious Xartup Fellowship! I'm excited to share that I've been chosen as a fellow for the Xartup program, a game-changer in the startup ecosystem. This incredible opportunity comes with a whopping 1.5 crores of technical and marketing credits from tech giants like AWS and Freshworks, which will undoubtedly propel my startup to new heights. The journey began with an engaging interview process that truly stood out. Xartup started by assessing not just the solution my startup offers, but also delved into the core of the matter - why does it matter? It's not just about solving a problem; it's about understanding the profound impact it can have on people's lives. 🤔 One highlight of the interview was the discussion on how I plan to tackle the challenges and solve the problem at hand. It's not just about having a solution; it's about having a vision and strategy to implement it effectively. 💡 The icing on the cake was the valuation phase, where Xartup used the Berkus Method to determine the value of my startup. It's incredibly humbling to see the value placed on something I'm so passionate about - a staggering 1.2 million dollars! 💰 What truly resonates with me about Xartup is their unwavering commitment to making a positive impact on people's lives. Their mission aligns perfectly with my own, and I can't wait to embark on this journey to make the world a better place, one step at a time. 🌎 I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to Xartup for this remarkable opportunity. It's not just about the financial support, but also the invaluable mentorship I'll receive from CEOs, angel investors, and Y Combinator alumni. 🤝 In just two months, I'll have the privilege to pitch my startup to potential investors, thanks to Xartup's incredible network. This is a game-changing moment, and I'm ready to seize it with both hands. 🌠 Thank you, Xartup, for believing in my vision and giving me the wings to fly higher than ever before. Here's to a transformative journey ahead! 🚀#XartupFellowship #StartupLife #GameChanger #MakingADifference

What do 𝐆𝐨𝐨𝐠𝐥𝐞 and 𝐕𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 have in common? 🔍 You can also add the ridesharing company 𝐋𝐲𝐟𝐭 and 𝐑𝐢𝐧𝐠, home security systems, to the list (if this helps you). 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘺-𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘚𝘩𝘢𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘦 𝘖’𝘕𝘦𝘢𝘭. ➡️This guy invests better than most professional investors out there! - 𝐆𝐨𝐨𝐠𝐥𝐞: Invested alongside Sequoia and Kleiner Perkins at the Series A in 1999 - 𝐋𝐲𝐟𝐭: Invested a year after it was founded. Lyft later went public in 2019 at a valuation of $22 billion - 𝐑𝐢𝐧𝐠: Got kicked off “Shark Tank” without a deal; O’Neal saw the potential and Ring was later acquired by Amazon.com Inc. for $1 billion - 𝐕𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫: One of the early investors and was sold to Coca Cola for $4.2 billion in 2007 ❓ What other sportspeople have such a phenomenal track record in startup investments? ❓ Are successful athletes now also better investors? ❓ What sportspeople or celebrity do you have on your cap table?   ➡️ Let me hear your views and experiences. For my part: I definitely will try to get Shaq on my next cap table! 😂 #venturecapital #startups #entrepreneurship

Exciting News! 🚀 Thrilled to share that we've officially joined the Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub family! 🌐 This incredible opportunity opens doors to valuable resources and support, empowering us to drive growth and success in the business landscape. Eager to embark on this journey and continue delivering innovative solutions. Let's make things happen! 💡 #Microsoft #Startups #FoundersHub #InnovationJourney

This statement is true for every business, small or large. Culture and values of a company starts from its founders and evolves/transforms as it grows… I can see a good number of people leaving OpenAI and joining Altman at Microsoft. #openai #leadership #leadershipmatters #startups #culture

Facinating matrix depicting global unicorn founders. Embedding within high-growth start-ups and learning from the ground floor (Product market fit, TAM, Strategic Positioning, GTM) is crucial in learning to recognize opportunities and address market arbitrages. Also interesting, yet not so surprising to read that 49% of the top unicorn founders in the US are serial entrepreneurs. With most of the aforementioned founders also having experience living, working, or studying abroad, the value of an international perspective and global mindset can't be understated.

A new chapter begins... Embarking on the Early GTM phase is like stepping onto a thrilling rollercoaster ride—the ups, the downs, and the exhilarating pace that defines startups. 💯 Having navigated this journey several times before, I'm gearing up once again, brimming with enthusiasm and readiness for what lies ahead. As we prepare for scale, speed, and dynamism, I find myself focusing not just on the destination but on the journey itself. While the urge to rush may be tempting, I firmly believe in executing our plans with poise and grace, ensuring every step is taken thoughtfully and deliberately. 💡 Today, I'm thrilled to announce that we are opening our Pre-Seed round—a pivotal moment in our startup's evolution. With inbound interest from VCs, we're strategically navigating these discussions, aligning with partners who share our vision and values. 💜 But it's not just about securing funding; it's also about assembling the right team. I've been engaged in meaningful discussions with talented individuals we've identified, knowing that the right people will be instrumental in our success. TEAM: Together Everyone Achieves More. Moreover, early customer conversations are underway, paving the way for potential pilots and partnerships. These interactions reaffirm our market fit and fuel my excitement for the road ahead. 😍 As I prepare my mind for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, I'm filled with a sense of anticipation and preparedness. With a clear vision, a meticulous plan, and a commitment to executing with decorum, I'm confident that we're on the path to achieving remarkable milestones. Join me as I navigate the early stages of growth with determination, resilience, and unwavering grace. Together, everyone at Mindora is ready to write the next chapter of our success story. #Startups #EarlyGTM #PreSeedRound #VC #TeamBuilding #CustomerEngagement #Excitement #GrowthMindset

18 days until Slush! 🚀 Today’s volunteer day was incredibly engaging and inspiring! The day kicked off with Miki Kuusi, the initial CEO at Slush and current Head of International at DoorDash, sharing his journey from a university student to founding the successful technology company Wolt. His story, from identifying a problem, finding the solution, to later being featured on Forbes 30 under 30 list, was truly remarkable. 🏆 We also delved into the venture capital process with two of Finland’s top VC investors, Petteri Koponen (Lifeline Ventures) and Inka Mero (Voima Ventures). Exploring the entire VC process from limited partners to startups, understanding what factors to consider when investing in a startup, and acknowledging the rarity of successful companies was insightful. ✨ In addition to gaining insights from inspiring individuals and experiencing the Slush atmosphere, we had insightful discussions with other group leads and our team lead. Topics ranged from startups to recruitment and the contrasts between Finland and Australia. 🇦🇺 The excitement for Slush is only getting stronger! 🔥 #slush #slush2023 #startup #venturecapital

Shorter Loop is set to host a virtual industry roundtable aimed at aspiring product managementprofessionals across all career levels.... This complimentary event, titled “Product Manager’s Interview – Shortcuts and Hacks,” will feature top-tier product and business leaders from renowned companies... Sudiptaa Paul Choudhury Kinshuk Kale Those who are interested to attend the event can read more about it here: https://lnkd.in/gUBEUTYS #productmanagement #shorterloop #startups

In these early days at Mnadi | منادي I’m reflecting on the myth and reality of the startup life. Many romanticize it as a journey filled with overnight success and glamour. But let’s talk about the real deal. Startup life is a relentless pursuit. It’s long hours, uncertainty, and unexpected twists. It’s hitting roadblocks you never saw coming and having to pivot swiftly. However, here’s what sets us apart – we embrace the grit. We revel in the challenge. We understand that growth often comes from discomfort, and success is built on a foundation of hard work and resilience. For those aspiring to dive into the startup world, remember this: It’s not just about the destination; it’s about the journey itself. It’s about the lessons learned, the bonds forged, and the unbreakable spirit that propels us forward. So, stay hungry, stay humble, and let’s continue this incredible journey together💪