TLDR FOUNDERS 2023-12-15

24 PREDICTIONS FOR 2024

From AI Dating to ZIRP, TikTok Shop to Vision Pro. These predictions from former Index Partner turned SoloGP highlight what might be in store next year.

MARKETPLACES IN THE AGE OF AI

Marketplaces have been a dominating business model over the last two decades. Here’s a breakdown from a16z sharing its thoughts on how AI will impact this company type. A central theme is all around personalizing the experience for both sides of the marketplace.

STEP-UPS & DURATION: THE SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME TO THE SERIES A IN 2024

This article gives a by-the-numbers look at how Series A financings are looking going into 2024. The news is so-so; we’re reverting to the mean so no crazy highs and no crazy lows. Honestly, things are just sane.

5 INTERESTING LEARNINGS FROM NCINO AT ~$500,000,000 IN ARR

nCino is a big fintech player. It is at almost $500m in ARR, with 1,850 customers, now growing a modest but steady 19%, and it has gotten pretty efficient. Here are some highlights that underpin its growth.

15 SIGNS YOU HAVE A SAAS METRIC PROBLEM, AND HOW TO FIX IT

In this article, Dave Kellogg, EIR at Balderton Capital, discusses the problem with SaaS metrics, specifically the reliance on vanity metrics that fail to capture the true health and growth of a company.

BENCHMARKING YOUR COMPANY THROUGH A DOWNTURN

Signs are pointing to a potential comeback or at least that we’re not going to get clobbered by a recession. Your company right-sized, weathered the storm - now how do you measure yourself in a downturn as you look to raise or scale? Here are some of the things to think about as we’re in the downturn and how to think about going beyond.

PRICEGPT

Analyze your (or a competitor’s) pricing page.

AGGREGATIONS.IO

Real-time insights using your analytics data.

THINKSY

Performance reviews made easy.

YEAR ONE OF GENERATIVE AI: SIX KEY TRENDS

AI has been in the spotlight throughout 2023. As we round out the years, what’s really happened? This article highlights the key trends that have defined AI in 2023.

TECHNICAL EXCELLENCE WON’T BE ENOUGH

In a world abundant with technology and choices for consumers, the differentiator will be taste and form. Your tech can’t simply be good tech, it needs to show craft and artisanry. This blog explores a few examples around us today that do it successfully.

STORIES ON FAILURE (100 MINUTE PODCAST)

This podcast dives into failure, an overlooked source of wisdom. The episode stitches together over 100 stories from founders who failed. Smart people learn from their mistakes, but the real sharp ones learn from the mistakes of others.

LET ME GIVE YOU SOME ADVICE

Advice often comes in the form of someone giving you their winning lottery ticket number, and that’s not always helpful. Most advice is flawed. It’s your job to listen to it and decide which elements of the advice are true for your situation.

YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN YOU’VE HAD A BAD DAY

One bad day might be a blessing in disguise - you just don’t know. This blog post gives an account from the original bubble days about someone who got ousted just before the bubble burst. Turns out it was a good thing. Hindsight is always 20/20.

LONG-TERM NEWS

From the for-once-some-good-news department, the folks at Collab Fund break down some heartening news - global population growth and a variety of other “good signs” indicate we’re in the midst of a rebound. Let’s take it.

YOUR REFERRAL LINK - https://tldr.tech/founders?ref=2613930