OrderAhead

Jessica Livingston explains that founder relationships can make or break a startup, and that teams should take warning signs seriously before disputes damage productivity and morale. She argues that making something people want is one of the hardest parts of starting a company, requiring founders to talk with users and change their ideas. Airbnb and OrderAhead illustrate how a startup’s idea can evolve, while Dropbox shows that success can also come from refining an idea through many small improvements. The talk closes by noting that the path from starting a tech company to public recognition includes dramatic ups and downs.