Allen Penn grew up on a Kentucky horse farm, learning grit and hard work from a young age. He went from private equity to becoming one of Uber’s earliest operators, spearheading the launch of Uber Taxi in Chicago and helping shape the playbook that fueled Uber’s explosive growth, including across Asia.
In this Mini (Best Of) episode, Allen shares why every entrepreneur should think more about getting out than getting in, how his farm upbringing prepared him for startup chaos, and what it really takes to be the “Work Horse” in an early-stage company.
🔑 Topics Covered:
• From Kentucky farms to Uber’s frontlines
• The chaos and speed of launching Uber Taxi
• Allen’s advice: focus on the exit, not just the entry
• Why startups demand more than just ideas — they demand stamina
If you enjoyed this clip, check out the full conversation with Allen Penn on The Early Podcast.
#Uber #Startups #ChicagoTech #Taxi #FounderEnergy #CareerAdvice #TheEarlyPodcast #EarlyPod
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🎙️ ABOUT THE SHOW:
The Early Podcast is where host Max Crowley, Uber’s #25 employee, sits down with the earliest builders behind today’s most iconic companies. No fluff, just raw stories from the trench years when your startup could still fail tomorrow.
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