Using network effects to scale your product — 1 Paragraph Summary Network effects describes products that become more valuable the more people use it. From credit cards, to social media, to mobility. Building a company like this happens in stages, the first, the ‘cold start’ is the most challenging to overcome as it requires a network to be built before it…

I suppose (or hope) it’s normal for founders to sacrifice sleep to build a business. It’s definitely been true for me and Vow over the past 2.5 years. Whether it’s staying in the office trying to get something to work well into the wee hours of the morning or the…

Leading people is, hands down, the most challenging thing I have ever worked on in a professional setting. As the impact of leadership over individual contribution increases how I communicate is top of my mind as an area to improve. When I reflect on the most painful mistakes I have…

How to build the future — I have spent the last three years doggedly pursuing a single, contrarian idea: inventing better meat using emerging technology to ensure individuals will choose sustainable foods selfishly. It seems so simple and obvious. Of course the meat we eat isn’t the best nature has to offer, it’s what our ancestors…

This past week an excellent, carefully researched and reported article titled “Lab-grown meat is supposed to be inevitable. The science tells a different story,” was shared by Joe Fassler in The Counter. In it, Fassler shares the bear case for cultured meat and delves into many of the technical challenges…

The leadership handbook of Silicon Valley’s Bill Campbell I am in the midst of searching for my own executive coach. The question ‘what does a great executive coach actually do?’ has crossed my mind on many occasions, so I picked up this book to learn. I have had coaches in…

Teamwork is the ultimate competitive advantage When I have left each role I have worked in when I leave I spend time reflecting on what was good about the team and environment and what was done poorly. These lists are often heavily skewed to the bad — negatives are easier…

The Power and Passion of Perseverance “Enthusiasm is common. Endurance is rare.” A few years ago I was sitting in the sun in the living room with my partner at the time. She was reading Grit, whilst I was playing video games, she looked at me over the book and…

Getting the most out of your board of directors For almost every founder I know boards are a mystery. When I imagine a board I see large group of slightly stuffy people sitting around an expensive looking polished mahogany table. How are they supposed to help a fast moving startup? …