Bonus

Resources for non-technical founders.

External resources we recommend for founders attempting to build a tech startup.

10 must-watch

Startup videos every non-technical founder needs

A short, opinionated playlist. If you only have a weekend, watch these in order.

01

How to Start a Startup, Lecture 1

Sam Altman (Stanford CS183B)

The single best 50 minutes on what a startup actually is, why most fail, and what real traction looks like.

Open on YouTube
02

Before the Startup

Paul Graham (Y Combinator)

Counterintuitive truths every first-time founder gets wrong. Read it, then watch it.

Open on YouTube
03

Competition is for Losers

Peter Thiel (Stanford)

Why monopolies, not competition, build great companies. Reframes how you pick a market.

Open on YouTube
04

Start With Why

Simon Sinek (TEDx)

The clearest explanation of why some products inspire and most don't. Pure positioning fuel.

Open on YouTube
05

How to Plan an MVP

Michael Seibel (Y Combinator)

Stops you from over-building. The cheapest, fastest version of your idea is the right one.

Open on YouTube
07

How to Get Startup Ideas

Jared Friedman (Y Combinator)

Watch on YouTube

Ideas are not a thunderbolt. They come from noticing problems. This explains the system.

Open on YouTube
08

How to Build the Future, Brian Chesky

Brian Chesky with Sam Altman

Watch on YouTube

Founder mode, doing things that don't scale, surviving the early Airbnb years. From a non-technical founder.

Open on YouTube
09

How to Raise Money

Marc Andreessen, Ron Conway, Parker Conrad (Stanford CS183B)

Watch on YouTube

Honest mechanics of fundraising: what investors actually look for and how rounds really happen.

Open on YouTube
10

Stanford Commencement Address (2005)

Steve Jobs

Three short stories on connecting the dots, doing the work you love, and mortality. Required viewing.

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More

Curated reading and tools

Startup and Product Thinking

Learning Basic Tech Concepts

Understanding Startup Operations

Learning Product and UX