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DECODE Resources
Watch videos for startup founders. View the full archive here.
Building Minimal Viable Product (MVP) with Michael Seibel
Michael Seibel, Managing Director and Group Partner at Y Combinator, talks about building a Minimal Viable Product (MVP). The session covers the definition of MVP, examples of successful MVPs like Zappos, the importance of feedback, and the iterative process of product development.
More Featured Videos
Product in 2022 What Has Changed Over The Past Decade | Casey Winters | Ex-CPO at Eventbrite
40:08

Product in 2022 What Has Changed Over The Past Decade | Casey Winters | Ex-CPO at Eventbrite

Fireside Chat Speaker: Casey Winters, Ex-Chief Product Officer at Eventbrite Moderator: Sandy Diao, Director of Growth at Descript Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Casey Winters´ Professional Journey 00:03:23 - Career Journey at Eventbrite 00:06:43 - Organizing Product Teams at Eventbrite 00:10:07 - Structure and Alignment within Pinterest 00:13:18 - The Product Development Process 00:16:39 - The Rise of Specialized Roles and the Push and Pull of Team Collaboration 00:19:54 - Effective Decision Making in Product Development 00:23:16 - Different Approaches in Product Development 00:26:19 - Skills and Impact in Product Management 00:29:42 - Networking and Learning from Others 00:32:56 - Where to find Casey's content 00:36:30 - Scaling Strategies for Startups 00:39:46 - Scaling from Kindle to Fire Stay connected with us! DECODE : https://decode.build/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/decodesv Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/decode.build
DECODE the Future: Trends and Predictions in Tech | Keith Enright | Chief Privacy Officer, Google
37:54

DECODE the Future: Trends and Predictions in Tech | Keith Enright | Chief Privacy Officer, Google

Fireside Chat Speaker: Keith Enright, Chief Privacy Officer at Google Moderator: Jerel Lim, Chief Operating Officer at DECODE Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction and Background of the Speaker 00:04:20 - The Challenges of Privacy in Today's World 00:06:22 - The Growing Importance of Privacy 00:09:31 - Reducing Data Footprint and Privacy Enhancing Technologies 00:12:32 - Collaboration with Apple to Protect Privacy 00:15:34 - Building a Privacy Protective System 00:18:36 - The Future of Remote Work and Hybrid Models 00:21:45 - The Importance of Engaging with Governments Globally 00:24:53 - Collaborative persuasion in conversation planning and privacy concerns 00:27:53 - The Challenge of Privacy Policies and Meaningful Consent 00:30:52 - The Challenge of Data-driven Companies 00:34:35 - Challenges in Data Protection and Privacy Regulations Stay connected with us! DECODE : https://decode.build/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/decodesv Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/decode.build
Building a Venture Backed Company: Non-obvious Lessons for Fundraising
38:23

Building a Venture Backed Company: Non-obvious Lessons for Fundraising

Join us for a dynamic conversation with Eddy Lu, CEO of GOAT, moderated by Sam Angus, partner at Fenwick & West. In this session, Eddy shares his entrepreneurial journey: He discusses overcoming challenges, including investor skepticism and the benefits of accelerators, and offers insights into strategic negotiations, selecting the right investors, and brand building. Whether you're an entrepreneur or just curious about startup success, this talk is packed with real-world lessons and experiences from a leading CEO in the tech industry. Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Fundraising and Lessons Learnt 00:03:34 - Pivoting to a Sneaker Marketplace 00:06:24 - Pivoting from Grub with Us and Keeping Investors' Money 00:09:04 - The Benefits of Joining an Accelerator 00:11:56 - From Zero Traction to Investment Demand 00:15:02 - Overcoming Investor Doubts and Failed Pitches 00:17:58 - Quick Fundraise with a Blank Sheet of Paper 00:21:06 - Negotiating with Strategic Investors 00:24:20 - Importance of Choosing the Right Investor 00:27:40 - Differentiating Yourself in the Market 00:30:50 - The Importance of Brand Building for Marketplaces 00:34:30 - The Challenges of Building Games and Apps 00:38:02 - The Importance of Passion in a Project Stay connected with us! DECODE : https://decode.build/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/decodesv Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/decode.build Marketplace, Accelerator, Investment demand, startups, pivoting, strategic negotiations
Propelling Crypto Forward with Data | VP of Data at Coinbase | With Shuo Chen
57:28

Propelling Crypto Forward with Data | VP of Data at Coinbase | With Shuo Chen

Speaker: Michael Li, VP of Data at Coinbase and ex-Head of Analytics & Data Science at LinkedIn Moderator: Shuo Chen, General Partner of IOVC, Faculty of UC Berkeley Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction 02:29 - Moderator Remarks + Coinbase Opportunities 03:15 - Michael's Career Development From College to Now 14:14 - Growing Alongside an Emerging Industry 17:18 - VP of Data at Coinbase 21:37 - Exciting Data Projects at Coinbase and Beyond 27:10 - Michael's Special Projects at Coinbase 31:07 - Improving AI-Specific Data Quality 35:00 - Vision for Crypto and Blockchain and How Data Fits Into It 38:42 - Surprising Trends in Crypto (Including NFTs) 41:49 - Skills Needed for Young Crypto Enthusiasts 46:49 - Unexplored Opportunities for Senior Professionals in Crypto 50:59 - Unique Job Opportunities in Coinbase 53:49 - Effective Strategies to Continue to Learn about Data and Blockchain More on Michael: Michael Li is the Vice President of Data at Coinbase where his focus is scaling value creation by making varied data work together for the crypto industry. Throughout his career, Michael has focused on empowering people with data and technology, working to define and operationalize Big Data and AI in practical terms for both start-ups and large corporations. Prior to Coinbase, he held roles at LinkedIn and eBay and Capital One. Stay connected with us! DECODE : https://decode.build/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/decodesv Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/decode.build
How to Raise Your Seed Round - Steve Jurvetson, Tesla & Space X | Decode Innovation Conference 2019
29:08

How to Raise Your Seed Round - Steve Jurvetson, Tesla & Space X | Decode Innovation Conference 2019

2020 D/CODE Innovation Conference will be held on Oct 24 & 25 virtually. More details on https://www.decode.build/events/decode-innovation-conference#wf-form-Landing-Subscribe-Form SPEAKER BIO: Wondering what top investors see in the next unicorn? Want to connect with the giants behind companies such as Tesla and SpaceX? Steve Jurvetson, the early investor & board member at Tesla and SpaceX is coming to BSCF2019 on Sep28! ABOUT D/CODE: D/CODE is a global, open community for ambitious creators and builders. We have our roots from Berkeley and Stanford (BSCF) as well as the tech and entrepreneurship community in Silicon Valley (Shinect), where we hosted the largest technology and innovation forum for the past 5 years, featuring speakers including founders and executives from Amazon, Apple, Facebook, Google, Netflix, Tesla and Zoom among others. Over the years, we have hosted 10,000+ attendees and our community has grown to include students across universities including Columbia, Cornell, Harvard, MIT, UPenn, Princeton, and Yale, as well as professionals across Fortune 50 companies. At D/CODE, through our online and offline courses, conferences and professional consulting practice, we are building a community for people to decode technology and innovation, as well as build ventures of the future together. FOLLOW US: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/decode_sv/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DECODEsv Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/decode-19694560599 Website: http://https://decode.build/
Unspoken Rules: Secrets to Starting Your Career Off Right By Gorick Ng | With Shuo Chen
01:20:47

Unspoken Rules: Secrets to Starting Your Career Off Right By Gorick Ng | With Shuo Chen

Topic: Unspoken Rules: Secrets to Starting Your Career Off Right Speaker: Gorick Ng, Author of "The Unspoken Rules: Secrets to Starting Your Career Off Right" (HBR, April 2021), Harvard MBA, ex-BCG, and First-gen college grad Moderator: Shuo Chen, General Partner at IOVC, Lecturer at UC Berkeley, and Faculty at Singularity University Chapters: 00:00:00 - Lessons from My Life's Chapters 00:14:28 - Demystifying Unspoken Rules in the Workplace 00:20:59 - The Process of Writing a Book 00:27:11 - Building Connection and Compatibility in the Workplace 00:33:48 - Building Relationships in the Workplace 00:40:53 - Building Relationships Virtually 00:47:10 - Importance of Articulating Company's Purpose and Role 00:53:29 - Turning a Dead-End Job into a Career-Building Opportunity 00:59:48 - Developing Regular Career Habits 01:06:22 - Developing Better Habits 01:13:12 - The Fulfillment of Paying It Forward Stay connected with us! DECODE : https://decode.build/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/decodesv Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/decode.build FOLLOW GORICK: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gorickng/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theunspokenrules? Pre-order Gorick's book: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1647820448/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1647820448&linkCode=as2&tag=gng06-20&linkId=85c4c1a9b1b3b42a3dded6c9cdbd1cec ABOUT THIS EVENT As part of DECODE Speaker Series, learn from Gorick Ng on strategies that you can apply immediately to get further, faster in your career. No one tells you how to navigate your first day, week, month, and year in a new role. No one tells you how to take ownership, manage expectations, and handle workplace politics. No one tells you how to get promoted. These are all unspoken rules–certain ways of doing things that managers expect but don’t explain and that top performers do but don’t realize. These rules aren’t taught in school. Instead, they get passed down over the dinner table or from mentor to mentee, making for an unlevel playing field between the insiders who get ahead and the outsiders who stumble through the trial and error. That is, until Gorick Ng, a first-generation college student at Harvard College and Harvard Business School, former BCG management consultant / Credit Suisse investment banker, and Harvard career adviser, interviewed 500+ professionals across industries and job types to understand the unspoken rules that underpin successful careers. On April 27, 2021, Gorick will be releasing his strategies via a Harvard Business Review book titled, The Unspoken Rules: Secrets to Starting Your Career Off Right. In this talk, Gorick will share some key insights from his book, along with practical strategies that participants will be able to apply immediately to get further, faster in their careers. MORE ABOUT GORICK Gorick Ng is a career adviser at Harvard College, specializing in coaching first-generation, low-income students. He has managed new employees at Boston Consulting Group (BCG), worked in investment banking at Credit Suisse, and is also a researcher with the Managing the Future of Work project at Harvard Business School. He has been featured in The Star, The Globe and Mail, The New York Post, World Journal, and on CBC. Gorick, a first-generation college student, is a graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Business School. Find him at https://gorick.com/
The Latest
The Secret to 10x Returns: The Venture Mindset Explained
07:11

The Secret to 10x Returns: The Venture Mindset Explained

The Venture Mindset: How to Make Smarter Bets and Achieve Extraordinary Growth Discover the unique mindset and strategies that drive success in the venture capital world, emphasizing that home runs matter and strikeouts don't. Learn why VCs focus on finding that one outlier investment that can yield exceptional returns while tolerating multiple failures. Discover how to apply this mindset to your startup or career, where experimentation and resilience are key. We'll discuss the importance of making small bets, collecting data, and understanding how VCs spend an average of 118 hours on due diligence. Also, find out why consensus can be dangerous and how conviction drives successful VC decisions. Equip yourself with insights to navigate the uncertain world of startups and venture capital effectively. Speaker: Alex Dang, Co-Author of 'The Venture Mindset'; Senior Advisor at McKinsey Moderator: Jerel Lim, CEO at DECODE Get tactical and actionable entrepreneurship insights! Subscribe to DECODE newsletter: https://www.decode.build/join-community Follow our LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/decodesv/ Chapters 00:00 Home Runs Matter, Strikeouts Don't 00:04 The Venture Capital Business Model 01:12 Applying VC Mindset to Life and Career 02:17 Dealing with Uncertainty in Startups 03:00 The Importance of Experimentation 03:39 Risk Reduction Engineering 04:32 Understanding VC Decision-Making 05:36 The Role of Consensus and Conviction
Why 90% of Founders Fail to Go From Good to Great
09:30

Why 90% of Founders Fail to Go From Good to Great

Good vs. GREAT Founders: The Difference Nobody Talks About Unlock the secret to taking your startup from good to great with this insightful video! We delve into the critical factors that differentiate successful startups from those that fail, focusing on the importance of interpersonal relations, maintaining relentless enthusiasm, and the right execution. Discover why great ideas are a dime a dozen and how execution makes the real difference. Learn about the significance of teamwork, risk appetite, and mentorship in driving your business to success. Whether you’re working out of a dorm room or scaling up, this video offers invaluable strategies for navigating the entrepreneurial journey, wiping out hidden agendas, and managing failure effectively. Speakers: Keith Enright, Partner at Gibson Dunn; Former Chief Privacy Officer at Google Eric Tan, CIO & Chief Security Officer at Flock Safety Esther Wojcicki, Chief Education Advisor at Knack; 'Godmother of Silicon Valley' Moderator: Kevin Hsieh, Founder & CEO at MirWork Get tactical and actionable entrepreneurship insights! Subscribe to DECODE newsletter: https://www.decode.build/join-community Follow our LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/decodesv/ Chapters 00:00 From Good to Great: The Importance of Team Dynamics 00:44 The Power of Enthusiasm and Passion 01:21 Execution Over Ideas 02:41 Taking Risks and Managing Failures 05:15 The Role of Mentorship 07:20 Maintaining Integrity and Humility
Stop Fundraising Until You Watch This: The 2-Step Test for Founders
07:20

Stop Fundraising Until You Watch This: The 2-Step Test for Founders

When to Fundraise: Essential Litmus Tests for Startup Founders Shuo Chen, an investor, former entrepreneur, and Stanford & Berkeley lecturer, delves into the crucial decision of whether or not to start fundraising for your startup. She explains the importance of having a scalable model and a specific use case for every dollar raised. Shuo highlights that fundraising should fuel growth, not just serve as a morale booster, and emphasizes the importance of core business needs before seeking external capital. Tune in for vital insights to ensure you're making the right move for your startup's success. Get tactical and actionable entrepreneurship insights! Subscribe to DECODE newsletter: https://www.decode.build/join-community Follow our LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/decodesv/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction: Should You Be Fundraising? 00:25 Understanding the Purpose of Fundraising 01:15 The Litmus Test for Fundraising Readiness 02:26 Specific Use Cases for Fundraising 04:13 Common Misconceptions About Fundraising 05:14 The Cost of Early Fundraising 06:13 Next Steps After the Litmus Test 06:48 Conclusion and Community Engagement
The Ultimate Startup Founders Guide To How Much You Should Really Raise
12:14

The Ultimate Startup Founders Guide To How Much You Should Really Raise

Secrets to VC Fundraising: Calculating the Right Amount To Raise From Investors Shuo Chen, an investor, entrepreneur, and lecturer at Stanford and Berkeley, shares crucial insights on the modern approach to startup fundraising. Using an example of her student aiming to raise $200,000, she explains why raising $2 million is more practical. Highlighted are the challenges of inadequate funding, the time-consuming nature of fundraising, and the shift from an 18-24 month runway to a three-year runway due to rising interest rates. Shuo details the importance of accurate cost projections, avoiding the pitfalls of raising too little or too much, and adopting a mindset of efficiency and long-term planning for startup success. Get tactical and actionable entrepreneurship insights! Subscribe to DECODE newsletter: https://www.decode.build/join-community Follow our LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/decodesv/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction: The Importance of Fundraising 00:30 The Fundraising Dilemma: Why $200K Isn't Enough 02:26 New Norms in Fundraising: Planning for Three Years 03:56 Cost Projections: Avoiding Common Pitfalls 07:35 Fundraising Challenges: Small vs. Large Amounts 09:49 The Risks of Raising Too Much 11:15 Conclusion: Fundraising for Long-Term Success
The Ultimate Founder's Guide to Fundraising from Y Combinator and Sequoia Without a Fancy Resume
19:36

The Ultimate Founder's Guide to Fundraising from Y Combinator and Sequoia Without a Fancy Resume

Secrets to VC Fundraising: Must-Have Traits to Close Your First Funding Round With Zero Experience Shuo Chen, an investor, entrepreneur, and Stanford & Berkeley lecturer, demystifies how founders with no work experience can attract top investors like Sequoia and Y Combinator. Using real examples of her students, Shuo reveals that investors prioritize team passion, grit, and commitment over resumes. She underscores the importance of a captivating co-founder story, the ability to quickly learn and iterate, and maintaining a clean cap table. Shuo also highlights the value of relevant advisors and the strategic role of initial angel investors. Get actionable insights on building a compelling narrative to win over top investors even without an impressive resume. Get tactical and actionable entrepreneurship insights! Subscribe to DECODE newsletter: https://www.decode.build/join-community Follow our LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/decodesv Chapters 00:00 Introduction: Convincing Top Investors 00:34 Understanding Investor Expectations 01:25 The Importance of Grit and Passion 02:45 Proving Your Commitment 06:54 Learning Fast and Iterating Quickly 11:07 Cap Table Management, Aligning Incentives and Equity Splits 14:03 The Role of Advisors and Angel Investors 17:55 Conclusion: Framing Your Story
The Ultimate Guide to Startup Valuations for Founders
12:23

The Ultimate Guide to Startup Valuations for Founders

Startup Valuation 101: Insights and Tips for Pre-seed and Seed Startups In this informative session, we dive into the essential question of determining your startup's valuation. Covering various factors from product type and industry to specific revenue benchmarks, this video provides a comprehensive guide on how to value your tech-enabled startup, especially when fundraising in Silicon Valley. Learn about the importance of detailed circumstances, addressing total addressable market, and showcasing recurring revenue. Get insights into how initial traction and founder backgrounds can impact your valuation and understand the crucial balance between setting high valuations and managing investor expectations. A must-watch for early-stage entrepreneurs navigating the complex landscape of startup valuations. Get tactical and actionable entrepreneurship insights! Subscribe to DECODE newsletter: https://www.decode.build/join-community Follow our LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/decodesv Chapters: 00:00 Introduction: The $100 Million Question 00:34 The Art of Valuation: Storytelling and Potential 01:19 Key Factors: Team, Market, and Traction 01:27 Team and Track Record Deep Dive 04:29 Market Size for Valuation and Validation 05:54 Traction: More Than Just Revenue 08:30 Hype and FOMO: The Double-Edged Sword 10:26 Valuation Benchmarks for 2024 11:40 Conclusion: De-risking and High Valuations
Secrets to Valuing Startups Like a Pro
11:10

Secrets to Valuing Startups Like a Pro

Startup Valuation 101: Insights and Tips for Pre-seed and Seed Startups In this informative session, we dive into the essential question of determining your startup's valuation. Covering various factors from product type and industry to specific revenue benchmarks, this video provides a comprehensive guide on how to value your tech-enabled startup, especially when fundraising in Silicon Valley. Learn about the importance of detailed circumstances, addressing total addressable market, and showcasing recurring revenue. Get insights into how initial traction and founder backgrounds can impact your valuation and understand the crucial balance between setting high valuations and managing investor expectations. A must-watch for early-stage entrepreneurs navigating the complex landscape of startup valuations. Stay connected with us! DECODE : https://decode.build/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/decodesv Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Startup Valuation 00:22 Factors Influencing Valuation 01:39 Valuation in Silicon Valley 02:06 Early Stage Valuation Benchmarks 03:35 Revenue and Customer Impact on Valuation 03:58 Importance of Recurring Revenue 04:55 Scaling and Higher Valuation 05:36 Impact of Founder Background 06:17 Market Trends and AI Influence 08:07 Final Thoughts on Valuation 09:25 Strategic Fundraising Tips
The Art and Science of Fundraising | DECODE Conference 2024
41:47

The Art and Science of Fundraising | DECODE Conference 2024

Speakers: Shuo Chen, General Partner at IOVC; Faculty at UC Berkeley Christopher Lien, Founder & CEO at Marin Software (NASDAQ: MRIN) DROdio, Co-Founder & CEO at Storytell.ai Moderator: Sam Angus, Partner at Fenwick and West In this comprehensive session, Shuo, Chris, and DROdio shares invaluable insights on 'The Art and Science of Fundraising,' focusing on practical tips for startups. The discussion offers five top tips for first-time fundraisers, emphasizing the importance of relationship-building with investors, understanding different funding stages, and personalizing outreach efforts. From leveraging warm introductions to navigating valuation and deal terms, this session is packed with advice from experienced founders and investors. Ideal for aspiring entrepreneurs and founders, the insights aim to prepare you for the challenges of securing your first funding round. Stay connected with us! DECODE : https://decode.build/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/decodesv Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to the Panel and Fundraising 01:19 Building Relationships Before Fundraising 02:47 Importance of Warm Intros 07:09 Setting Fundraising Milestones 10:36 Effective Fundraising Strategies 12:49 Navigating VC Relationships 23:32 Understanding Fundraising Terms and Valuations 32:53 Final Thoughts and Audience Q&A Speaker Bios: Shuo Chen is a General Partner at IOVC, where she invests in early stage startups in Silicon Valley with a focus on future of work and enterprise/SaaS. She also teaches entrepreneurship at UC Berkeley and Stanford. In her venture role, Shuo has invested in companies now acquired by Goldman Sachs, Ford, Caterpillar, Binance and Dialpad, as well as now unicorns including Boom, Checkr, Grubmarket, Instacart and Rescale. Outside of venture, Shuo is appointed by California Governor Gavin Newsom to serve as 1 of 14 voting members on California's Mental Health Commission, which includes overseeing ~$10 billion annually in state budget and advising the Governor or the Legislature on mental health policy. Chris is Marin’s founder and Chairman of the Board, and rejoined the Company as Chief Executive Officer in August 2016. From September 2015 to August 2016, Chris has served on boards of private companies as well as Marin Software. From May 2014 until September 2015, Chris served as executive chairman of Marin Software, and from the founding of the Company in 2006 to May 2014, he served as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer. Chris has been a member of the Board since 2006. Previously, Chris served as Chief Operating Officer of Adteractive, Inc., an online performance marketing company, from 2004 to 2005. In 2001, Chris co-founded and served as Chairman and Chief Financial Officer of Sugar Media, Inc., a broadband services platform, until its acquisition in 2003 by 2Wire, Inc., a leading supplier of DSL equipment and services, which was subsequently acquired by Pace plc in 2010. DROdio is the co-founder & CEO at Storytell.ai. He was the founding CEO of Armory, a devops startup that enabled digital transformation for Global 2,000 enterprises. Armory's customers included JPMorgan Chase, Autodesk and Snap and used Armory’s software delivery platform to execute their public & hybrid cloud strategic initiatives. Armory raised $83M from incredible investors including Y Combinator, Javelin, Crosslink, Insight and B Capital and was acquired by Harness in 2024. Before Armory, I was the CEO of Socialize, which was acquired in 2013. Previous to that, I was the CEO of AppMakr, PointAbout and RebateReps, all startups that were acquired over the past decade.
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