Founder's FAQ: The Predictable Journey of the Ups and Downs of a Startup

by Ilker Koksal

Founder’s FAQ covers the answers to all the possible questions of a founder in a startup journey—whether revealing lifesaving principles for the startup’s survival path, building A+ teams, creating an evolving machine, setting up a neat culture, or interpreting the true path for the fundraising. All the chapters of the book are packed with real-life examples; from founders who scaled their startups and exited, investors of Airbnb, Coinbase, Deliveroo, Gusto, HubSpot, Instacart, Kayak, Lyft, Opendoor, Robinhood, Slack, Snapchat, Snowflake, Square, Stripe, Twilio, Udemy, to sales, marketing, and product leaders of high-growth startups. This enables you to merge practical knowledge with reality. It can undoubtedly be read cover-to-cover but invites you to open up to any page and digest a quick lesson.

262 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 13, 2021

About the author

Ilker Koksal is a serial entrepreneur who has founded two startups, one of which is acquired. In 2018, he was named among Forbes 30 Under 30 for being an innovator in the world of enterprise technology. He is on a mission to enlighten founders to innovate for the sake of the world. In the light of this mission, he works as an investor and advisor in startups. He studied Geopolitics and Global Business at Yale School of Management, has a BS degree in Computer Science at Bilkent University, and an MBA at Koc University.

Reviews

[P.B. Flower]

Conception to smooth running

There are many books that claim to show you the way. This one is different as it comes from someone who has done it more than once and successfully so.
"...not all startups in Silicon Valley become successful. And not all startups built in different cities and countries fail."
This quote from the book highlights the force behind your idea and not the location. Author Ilker Koksal takes the readers through the time of conception and all the way to the smooth running of an established startup.
I found it compelling as it is backed by experience and practical advice.

[Billy Fetzner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Startup Wisdom Unleashed

"I absolutely love 'Founder's FAQ: The Predictable Journey of the Ups and Downs of a Startup' by Ilker Koksal. From the moment I delved into its pages, I found myself immersed in a world where the uncertainties of startup life were unravelled with profound clarity. Ilker Koksal doesn't just guide, he takes you on a genuine journey, sharing invaluable insights that can only be derived from real-life experiences. The book is not a mere compilation of theories; it's a living testament to the unpredictable nature of startups, enriched with practical advice and stories from successful founders and industry leaders. What stands out most is Koksal's ability to seamlessly blend theoretical principles with the raw, unfiltered reality of startup challenges, making this a resource that speaks to both the heart and mind of anyone in the entrepreneurial sphere.

The book serves as a lifeline for startup founders, offering a rare combination of theoretical knowledge and practical wisdom. The real-world examples shared throughout the book not only inspire but also provide a down-to-earth perspective on the highs and lows of the startup ecosystem. It's this authenticity that sets 'Founder's FAQ' apart and makes it a guide worth revisiting time and again.

What I enjoyed the most about the book is its FAQ format, ingeniously executed by Koksal. It's like having a seasoned mentor by your side, ready to address the common questions and concerns that plague every founder's mind. The book covers an extensive range of topics, from the inception of an idea to team building, funding, growth, and beyond. Koksal's advice is not just theoretical; it's actionable, offering tangible steps and strategies to navigate the challenges effectively. The emphasis on resilience and mental fortitude is a game-changer, acknowledging the emotional toll of entrepreneurship and providing strategies to maintain motivation throughout the journey.

In conclusion, 'Founder's FAQ' is a treasure trove for anyone embarking on or navigating the unpredictable journey of entrepreneurship. Whether you're a first-time founder seeking guidance or a seasoned entrepreneur looking for fresh insights, this book is a must-read. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone in the startup ecosystem, as it offers not just information but the wisdom needed to make informed decisions and thrive in the dynamic world of startups."

[Tim O'Shaughnessy · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a business advisor I've seen a few high growth businesses over the years. I've seen a lot of failures as well. I'm sure that if the ones that failed to achieve had been able to read this book beforehand, then they might have stood a better chance of success. The knowledge isn't just that of the author who has drawn on his own experience. He had recruited an army of entrepreneurs and advisers involved in the high growth sector to add little bits of extra advice here and there.
What becomes abundantly clear is that it's no mean feat to successful set up and grow a business. Aspiring business owners would be wise to read and understand the demands that will be placed on them before they head off down the track. There was a leaning towards the Silicon Valley being the place to make things happen, but UK readers and business owners would find plenty of food for thought in here as well.

[Tuba Tezer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think the book is great in terms of how it walks you through the ups and downs of founding a startup from idea to exit. It's like a collection of practical advice, a very comprehensive resource. I particularly enjoyed reading all sorts of professional adventures of the folks who contributed to the book. Also, I feel like the book provides you with a well-structured perspective on how you should approach certain things like building a team, scaling the product etc.

The book was concise, straight and to the point. I recommend it to anyone who is looking to build/work in startup.

[Gregory · Rating 5 out of 5]

good advice for first-time founders

In “Founder’s FAQ: The Predictable Journey of the Ups and Downs of a Startup,” Ilker Koksal offers an insightful perspective on the challenges faced by startup founders, from bootstrapping your own company to fundraising, the importance of getting the right people on board, and exiting successfully. Koksal’s first-hand experiences and clear narrative lend extra credibility to his advice. The book is best suited to those with less experience in this field, and aspiring entrepreneurs.

[Melissa Cruz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Read

This book is an invaluable resource for any aspiring or current startup founder. This book stands out for its honest and detailed exploration of the startup journey, offering practical advice and real-life examples. It's a must-read for anyone navigating the unpredictable waters of entrepreneurship, providing both guidance and reassurance that you're not alone in facing these challenges.

[Amelia Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

deep dive

"Founder's FAQ" dives deep into the challenges faced by startup founders, offering insightful solutions and strategies. The author's firsthand experiences and candid discussions on common pitfalls make this book relatable and invaluable. Whether you're just starting or already knee-deep in the startup grind, this book equips you with the knowledge and confidence to navigate the entrepreneurial landscape with resilience and success.

[Matthew Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

start ups are hard work!

Anybody who just got started with their new business knows that it is not easy and it takes a lot of effort to get it off the ground. Wouldn’t it be better to have someone who’s been there before and knows what they’re doing? For anyone just getting their feet wet with their own business, I recommend checking out this book

[Alparslan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read it twice within a week. In my opinion, it is a complete, well-written, easy-to-understand introduction for anyone who wants to understand execution in the startup ecosystem. The author also has podcasts of the book where many startup experts in the ecosystem share their experiences.

[Bora Eresici · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mevcut startup fikir, kuruluş vb süreçlerini yaşamış kurucular için yaşanılmışlıkların tekrarlandığı bir kitap son 50 sayfa anahtar özet konuları kapsıyor. Süreci hiç yaşamamış fikir sahipleri için ise yol göstermesi açısından faydalı.

[Paul Leverell · Rating 4 out of 5]

interesting read

I really liked the fact that this book covers real-life experiences so that startup founders can easily see what works and what does not. It offers a good overview of starting a business.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Different

I was interested in the book "Founder's FAQ" because I wanted to learn about start ups. The author used a different approach to write the book.

[ciler ay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clear, well-written guidebook for all founders. The book masterfully motivates you to rethink your startup journey by digging into challenges and giving inspirational real-life examples from Bay Area VC partners and impactful founders. It drives you to reconsider past commitments, doubts to question your present decisions, and curiosity to reimagine your future plans.

I can’t recommend this enough! One of the best books for first-time founders!