CHAOS IS A LADDER

Summary from the TLDR Founders newsletter

Trade wars and supply-chain shocks might seem harmful for business, but these chaotic moments can actually help startups beat slower-moving incumbents. Tesla, Inc. quickly adapted during the global chip shortage by rewriting software to use different components while traditional carmakers like Ford Motor Company struggled. Drawing from Norse mythology—where Loki's disruptions ultimately lead to renewal—and historical shifts like Sony Corporation overtaking RCA by embracing portable radios, this post highlights how flexible companies that control their own product designs and supply chains ("vertical integrators") often seize ground when established giants falter.