What are the top things early stage founders waste money on?

The speaker discusses the top things early stage founders waste money on, despite being warned, and emphasizes the importance of trimming expenses.

Is hiring highly qualified and expensive engineers from big companies a waste of money for startups?

Yes, hiring highly qualified and expensive engineers from big companies is a waste of money for startups.

Can hiring contractors hinder the growth of a startup?

Yes, hiring contractors as a temporary solution can lead to long-term pain and hinder the growth of a startup.

Is spending money on ads early on in a company effective for learning and growth?

No, investing a large amount of money into ads early on in a company may not result in significant learning or growth.

Are PR agencies and lawyers a waste of money for startups?

Yes, hiring PR agencies and lawyers can be a waste of money, as they often result in firing and paying for the learning process.

Startup Money Management: Avoiding Costly Mistakes

Name: Startup Money Management: Avoiding Costly Mistakes
Uploaded: 2023-03-09 20:45:45
Description: Early stage founders should focus on building a skilled and dedicated team, be scrappy and creative in their approach, and spend wisely to achieve long-term success.

This article is a summary of a YouTube video "Top Ways Startups Waste Money" by Y Combinator

TLDR Early stage founders should focus on building a skilled and dedicated team, be scrappy and creative in their approach, and spend wisely to achieve long-term success.

Resource Allocation and Management

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Startups waste money by relying on expensive contractors instead of investing in building a strong in-house team.
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Startups need to find ways to grow beyond just ads, such as launching new products, in order to sustain long-term growth.
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Startups waste money on expensive events when they could get more value by being scrappy and working the room.
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Startups waste money on PR agencies when building direct relationships with journalists is more effective and cost-efficient.
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Sometimes it's better to handle your own PR and reach out to journalists directly instead of relying on an agency.
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Startups should avoid working with funds that prioritize short-term gains over long-term success, as it can lead to wasted money and resources.
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Successful people in the startup ecosystem often volunteer valuable advice for free, rather than trying to monetize it or collect percentages.
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Startups waste money when they spend on unnecessary things before achieving product market fit and earning the right to spend money.

Marketing and Advertising

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Startups waste a lot of money on marketing, with the potential scale of advertising on Facebook and Google being massive, but with no limit to how much you could spend on ads.
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Triplebyte spent almost a million bucks a month on Facebook ads, but it was profitable for a long time because they started with a tiny budget just to learn.

Q&A

What are the top things early stage founders waste money on?

— The speaker discusses the top things early stage founders waste money on, despite being warned, and emphasizes the importance of trimming expenses.
Is hiring highly qualified and expensive engineers from big companies a waste of money for startups?

— Yes, hiring highly qualified and expensive engineers from big companies is a waste of money for startups.
Can hiring contractors hinder the growth of a startup?

— Yes, hiring contractors as a temporary solution can lead to long-term pain and hinder the growth of a startup.
Is spending money on ads early on in a company effective for learning and growth?

— No, investing a large amount of money into ads early on in a company may not result in significant learning or growth.
Are PR agencies and lawyers a waste of money for startups?

— Yes, hiring PR agencies and lawyers can be a waste of money, as they often result in firing and paying for the learning process.

Timestamped Summary

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00:00
Early stage founders often waste money on unnecessary expenses, but hiring a PR agency and utilizing resources like the YC group partner lounge can help them learn and save money.
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02:12
Hiring expensive engineers from big companies is a waste of money for startups; instead, they should focus on building a skilled and dedicated team.
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06:43
Investing heavily in marketing early on may not result in significant growth or learning, as demonstrated by Triplebyte's experience, and relying solely on ads can be unsustainable and lead to decline.
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10:45
Founders can get more value by being scrappy and creative at conferences, such as freezing money in a block of ice, sneaking flyers into hotel rooms, and creating a separate phone call area.
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14:34
Hiring PR agencies and lawyers can be a waste of money, as they often result in firing and paying for the learning process.
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16:59
Choose experienced lawyers and established law firms to manage legal costs efficiently and prioritize long-term success, while avoiding working with certain industries and considering equity compensation for advisors.
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20:53
Founders should avoid giving away too much equity to advisors and instead negotiate for lower percentages or ask them to invest in the company.
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24:41
Spend wisely: Only hire after achieving product market fit and finding low-cost ways to test ideas, startups with limited funds have an advantage in being more disciplined in spending.