The 18 Mistakes That Kill Startups

Paul Graham's "The 18 Mistakes That Kill Startups" provides a list of common pitfalls faced by fledgling companies, particularly within the realm of technology. He outlines the dangers of single-founder businesses, bad location choices, narrow market focus, derivative ideas, and stubborn refusal to adapt to evolving circumstances. Graham further warns against hiring unqualified programmers, choosing the wrong technological platform, delaying launches, launching prematurely, lacking a specific user in mind, raising insufficient or excessive funds, spending carelessly, failing to manage investors effectively, sacrificing user experience for perceived profit, avoiding hands-on business activities, conflicts between founders, and neglecting to fully commit to the venture. Ultimately, he asserts that the most significant mistake a startup can make is a lack of genuine effort, emphasizing the importance of dedication and persistence for success.

Read the full essay here: https://paulgraham.com/startupmistakes.html