#startup-strategy

#startup-strategy

Everyone is constantly asking for more resources, Of course, where we can afford to and where it's appropriate, new resources arrive, but it is really important to me that we feel that we've deliberately understaffed every project at the company.

We had retention that was 3-4 times better than other meal delivery services. We had low awareness, lots of room for product innovation, and a seemingly clear path to an IPO. Then the war broke out in Ukraine, and capital markets started to get spooked. All of the sudden, fast-growing, unprofitable consumer businesses were out of vogue. We managed to raise $32mm, not a small sum, but it felt like a failure.

What happens when your first 10 hires aren't people at all? At TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, happening October 27-29 at San Francisco's Moscone West, we're digging into the new wave of startups replacing or augmenting early employees with AI agents. Think outbound sales, billing, and customer support - automated from day one. This panel, hosted on the Builders Stage, features a mix of technical founders and seasoned operators who are actually doing it,

Every startup founder dreams of control. Building a sleek payment system in-house feels bold, innovative and even empowering. After all, Stripe began as a small project - why not follow the same path? The idea of owning every detail of the payment experience can be intoxicating. But behind that dream lies a reality few anticipate: endless complexity, hidden expenses and a dangerous distraction from the core product.