The Startup Playbook (2nd Edition): Founder-to-Founder Advice from Two Startup Veterans

by Rajat Bhargava

Get the real guidance you need to create and build your first start-up company from founders who have been there many times before.

We make no bones about our bias. We're on your side, the founder's side. While venture capitalists, investors, and accelerators/incubators can add great value in the start-up ecosystem, this book isn't about their points of view. We'll tell you where our interests as founders diverge from those on the other side of the table - investors, bankers, advisors, board members, and others - and what to do when that happens.

The Startup Playbook is not a recipe, it's not a template, it's not a list of tasks to do. It's our insider's guide to starting a company and running it successfully in those critical early months. Between us, we've started more than a dozen high-tech software companies and raised more than $500 million in investment capital. We've acquired more than 35 companies, had three of our start-ups go public, sold six of them, and we made billions of dollars for shareholders. We've also invested in more than 80 start-ups, advised and mentored more than 200 companies, and worked with venture capitalists (VCs), incubators, and accelerators to help launch many other new start-ups. We've had plenty of failures, too. And we've probably learned more from those than from the successes. We share those lessons as well.

Genres: Business, Startup, Entrepreneurship, Nonfiction, Self Help, Technology, Reference

Audible Audio

Published September 8, 2020

Reviews

[Nicholas Schreiber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great for Apprenuers

Really enjoyed this book, it’s exactly what I needed and exactly what it says it is. Valuable lesson from their own experiences

[Slav Ivanov · Rating 2 out of 5]

While the authors are undoubtedly experienced entrepreneurs, the book is dry, repetitive and uninspired. Actually, I used it at times to put myself to sleep. The advise given is common knowledge.

[Rona Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an easy-to-read, all encompassing roadmap of how to take your idea from inception to completion and succeed. I've used it in teaching entrepreneurship classes and found its straightforward approach easily accessible for students. It covers so much in a way that is comprehensive yet comprehendible. Highly recommend for those who need a crash course on how to create a startup, raise funds, understand the marketplace and branding, create a pitch deck, what investors look for, etc. It's also good for those of us to use a primer to remind us when we have to start all over again with a new idea.

[Melinda M · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Startup Playbook: Founder-to-Founder Advice From Two Startup Veterans by Rajat Bhargava is an interesting read whether you are just getting into business or experienced. It is a good mix of practice advice and inspiration without being false sounding. THe veterans of startup share the good and the bad that they have experienced. It is a little dry but the information is useful.
I recieved a copy thru a Goodreads Giveaway.

[Dnim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full of great advice and a nice reading although I am not sure when I will ever start a company.
As I have no clue of this area, I felt that the definitions of terms were very helpful and easily explained. Some of them though appear just after being used in previous chapters, nevertheless the authors state the chapters can be read in random order - that in my opinion would be more difficult. Still wish the funding sources, investors, could be better explained.
* I received the copy through a Giveway.

[Darius Vilimas · Rating 5 out of 5]

In depth blueprint for every entrepreneur

This book is for everyone who is interested in building a startup. This means this book has many useful information for anyone from seasoned founder to anyone who is interested in building a company, but hasn't started yet. Really recommend and super useful.

[Sean Charnock]

Raj Rajat Bhargava is a personal friend and he and I have spent hours & hours talking business, startups, people, etc. This book that he has written with Will is much more realistic about startups, rather than the traditional Ra/Ra, "you can do it" type books. The glorious stories of those who have made it tend to diminish the more common challenges faced by startups as they try to navigate the path to success. Having a book that helps guide your thought process on timing of events, pitfalls/people to avoid and all of the other various traps along the startup path, gives those who take this guidance a fighting chance to beat the startup odds. Congrats to Raj and Will on the book and I look forward to finishing the book in quick time.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the better startup books I’ve read. Good mix of inspiration and practical advice. A product without a market is just a fun idea.

[Dr. Tathagat Varma · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is a virtual treasure trove of information...a must-have field book for a newbie entrepreneur. Written in great details, there is literally no aspect of building a new business that doesn't get covered.

However...I would have expected much more practical experience sharing, personal anecdotes, industry war stories, etc. Without it, the book tends to be a bit dry, rather boring and quite pedantic. I also fear that for those same reasons, the book might not be well-received by the target audience...they might find it too much in the trenches, and sadly, when they are more battle-scarred and in a better position to consume it, they might not need it :)

In any case, a good read if you have just started in the game...

[Firdaus Aris · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Startup Playbook by Rajat Bhargava and Will Herman is a helpful guide for new entrepreneurs or anyone considering jumping into the startup world. It offers practical advice and real-world insights that give a clear picture of what to expect when starting a business. The book covers important aspects like building a solid team, understanding the right metrics, and navigating the ups and downs of entrepreneurship. While it’s not a magic formula for success, it provides useful tips and frameworks that can help new founders make informed decisions and avoid common pitfalls. If you're thinking of taking the plunge, this book is a worthwhile resource to have on your shelf.

[Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book so much!

This is an amazing, well writing book that seeks to teach from experience. Only wish I came across it sooner. It should be required reading in high school at minimum when individuals are preparing for adulthood (college, career, etc). Thank you!

[Elmer Diaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must Read For Startups

Will and Rajat not only tell their stories about their experience with their startups but also share a lot of valuable tips. Loved the book and highly recommend it to all my founder friends.

[Duong Tan · Rating 4 out of 5]

practical. simple great.

[Ivica Stankovic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect for young people

[Rodolfo Andino · Rating 4 out of 5]

As the name sugest this is a playbook. meant to be used as a playbook. for someone who want to be a founder or understand how startups works. it's amazing, simple and straight to the point.

[Varun Kulkarni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Insightful
Very well detailed explanation. The authors’ experience surely reflects in each part.

[Đỗ Sỹ Quý · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting book, and I really enjoyed reading it. Recommend you to buy it.

[Jake Hurst · Rating 3 out of 5]

For beginners. Didn't learn much. Skipped several chapters