Entering StartUpLand
Many professionals aspire to work for startups. Executives from large companies view them as models to help them adapt to today's dynamic innovation economy, while freshly minted MBAs see magic in founding something new. Yes, startups look magical, but they can also be chaotic and inaccessible. Many books are written for those who aspire to be founders, but a company only has one or two of those. What's needed is something that deconstructs the typical startup organization for the thousands of employees who join a fledgling company and do the day-to-day work required to grow it into something of value.
Entering StartUpLand is a practical, step-by-step guide that provides an insider's analysis of various startup roles and responsibilities--including product management, marketing, growth, and sales--to help you figure out if you want to join a startup and what to expect if you do. You'll gain insight into how successful startups operate and learn to assess which ones you might want to join--or emulate. Inside this book you'll find:
- A tour of typical startup roles to help you determine which one might be the best fit for you
- Profiles of startup executives across many different functions who share their stories and describe their responsibilities
- A methodology to identify and evaluate startups and position yourself to find the opportunity that's right for you
Written by an experienced venture capitalist, entrepreneur, and Harvard Business School professor, Entering StartUpLand will guide you as you seek your ideal entry point into this popular, cutting-edge organizational paradigm.
Jeffrey Bussgang is a venture capitalist, entrepreneur, and professor at Harvard Business School, where he teaches Launching Technology Ventures, a popular class for MBAs starting or joining startups. His firm, Flybridge Capital Partners, has over $600 million under management and has invested in more than 100 companies since its inception. He was previously a two-time entrepreneur (Upromise, Open Market), started his career with the Boston Consulting Group, and holds an MBA from HBS and a BA in computer science from Harvard College. His previous book, Mastering the VC Game, is an essential guide for entrepreneurs raising capital.