Do More Faster

TechStars Lessons to Accelerate Your Startup

By: Brad Feld, David Cohen

Narrated by: Sean Pratt

Length: 7 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's summary

It is a cold, hard fact of business life that most startups fail. Even many of those entrepreneurs who ultimately succeed have stories of personal challenges, unsuccessful companies, and difficulties along the way. The founders of TechStars, a mentorship-driven startup accelerator, have worked with entrepreneurs and companies over the past twenty-five years, and have seen a number of the same issues come up again and again.

In Do More Faster, the founders of TechStars identify the key issues that first-time entrepreneurs encounter, and offer proven advice from successful entrepreneurs who have worked with the TechStars program.

The authors organize the most critical issues into seven themes: Idea and Vision, People, Execution, Product, Fundraising, Legal and Structure, and Work and Life Balance. Many of the examples are personal experiences from the entrepreneurs themselves, integrated into a cohesive narrative - while at the same time able to stand on their own. Throughout the book, they debunk numerous myths about startups and reveal some surprising truths. They explain, for instance, that the core of a startup is not always a world-changing and earth-shattering idea - in fact, it is often the case that successful startups started out doing something else.

They also underscore the efficiency of execution: great entrepreneurs know how to synthesize data, make a decision about the path they are going down, and execute. And they offer some alternatives to traditional ways of raising money, while stressing that you shouldn't start with the assumption that you need to raise money.

Mastering the seven themes may not ensure success, but understanding the issues, reading the stories, and getting advice pertaining to these issues will increase your chances dramatically. And if nothing else, you'll realize that you aren't alone in facing these challenges.

©2010 Brad Feld, David Cohen (P)2011 Gildan Media Corp

Critic reviews

"Remember when experience mattered? Thanks to this book, no matter how new to your field or how young or inexperienced you are, you can learn from people who have actually done it. Sure beats failing." (Seth Godin, author of Linchpin)

Immediate lessons during your startup

Part of the "lean startup" methodology, this gives quick lessons on various topics for new businesses. Useful things to keep in mind during your launch phases.

Straight to the point, based on what works.

What did you love best about Do More Faster?

There was little to no "fluff" like I tend to find in many business books. Do More Faster just cuts straight to the most important points, based on David Cohen and Brad Feld's experiences with Techstars. For any budding entrepreneurs, this is what we want, less chatter and more actionable points.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes

Some good points, but it could be a lot better

Some very good points, here and there, on important issues, but I finished the book feeling that the authors could...do more, better. There is also a lot of Boulder this, Boulder That said, it is still worth it.that, or so and so has been XYZ at Techstars. The word Techstars is mentioned so many times that it becomes a distraction. It is probably caused by the format of the book : a collection of advice from Techstars related people.

Good Book

Completely disagree with the reviewer that said this is an infomercial for tech stars. It's a case study format, and the case studies come from tech stars experiences.

Covers the basics for any first time entrepreneur

I would recommend this book for anyone who is about to start up. Gives a good high-level view of the common themes startups usually struggle with.

Inspiring and full of practical examples

This book is full of detailed examples of the trials of running a startup. It was written circa 2011 but the lessons are still relevant and I it gave me some web2.0 nostalgia to hear about companies such as intense debate.

Many great points to running a business

This was very well done in a manner that lets you get a lot of value out of this audiobook. My opinion is that these lessons are applicable to almost any small business.

A must read

This book is a must read for any new entrepreneur starting their journey into tech.

Pragmatic inspirational!

What made the experience of listening to Do More Faster the most enjoyable?

Real stories including success and failures and learning points

Who was your favorite character and why?

Brad Feld & David Chen

What three words best describe Sean Pratt’s performance?

Clear, not too fast, not too slow. optimal!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Some a-ha moment ....

Useful information and presented well

l learned a few things and found the stories interesting. I wish thry had disclosed a little more about what they do each day in the incubator.