sethserver / startups
Join me, Seth, on a wild ride through the startup world's underbelly. From adult entertainment surprises to sports betting bamboozles, I've seen it all. In this "Flashes & Failures" series, I'll share personal tales of triumphs and face-plants, shedding light on the tech industry's less glamorous side. Buckle up for a journey filled with eccentric geniuses, shady dealings, and valuable lessons learned in the trenches of Silicon Valley. read on »
In the fast-paced world of startups, disruption is often seen as the holy grail. However, not every business function needs a revolutionary overhaul. This post explores five key areas where startups should tread carefully: payroll processing, regulatory compliance, accounting practices, basic infrastructure, and customer service. By respecting established practices in these areas, entrepreneurs can build a stable foundation for true innovation where it matters most. read on »
In this insightful post, a seasoned startup veteran shares five battle-tested techniques for navigating the AI resume revolution. From identifying unnaturally formal language to implementing practical skills assessments, these strategies help startups uncover authentic talent in an era of AI-generated applications. The author emphasizes the importance of embracing the human element in hiring while adapting to the changing landscape of recruitment in the AI age. read on »
Explore the telltale signs of struggling startups in their final stages, including communication silence, hiring freezes, desperate pivots, extreme cost-cutting, executive departures, and frantic searches for saviors. Learn valuable lessons from these experiences for founders, investors, and the broader startup ecosystem. read on »
Learn how to build a successful Minimum Viable Product (MVP) for your tech startup, from focusing on core features to gathering user feedback and pivoting when necessary. Discover real-world success stories and avoid common pitfalls in this comprehensive guide. read on »
Explore the Lean Startup methodology for tech entrepreneurs, covering its core principles, build-measure-learn loop, MVP creation, pivoting strategies, and customer development techniques. Learn how to apply these concepts to build successful, innovative startups through real-world examples and practical tips. read on »
Technical debt is a term that has been used to describe a myriad of different things. The most common use of the term is to describe the amount of work that needs to be done to fix a system that has been poorly designed or implemented. read on »
The Startup Conundrum: Decoding the Myths and Realities of Tech Entrepreneurship From coffee shop visionaries to family members with the "next big thing," we've all encountered self-proclaimed startup gurus. But what really defines a startup, and how does it differ from a traditional small business? This post dives into the high-stakes world of tech entrepreneurship, exploring the unique characteristics of startups - from their inherent riskiness and lack of traditional structure to their ability to pivot quickly and aim for moonshot goals. We'll also examine the startup funding puzzle and the exit-focused mindset that sets these ventures apart from their small business counterparts. Whether you're considering launching a startup or simply curious about the ecosystem, this exploration will help you navigate the complex landscape of tech entrepreneurship. read on »
After more than two decades as an engineer and over a decade as a hiring manager I've experienced my fair share of terrible engineering interviews. From quizzes to whiteboarding, take-home tests to awkward real-time coding exercises; I feel as though every startup I've worked at has had the exact same growing pains. read on »