Running your own company can get overwhelming, especially if it’s your first time. As a new founder, you always want a chance to explore new ideas and acquire knowledge that will allow you to exponentially grow the business.
What better way to gain sound and practical knowledge than to learn from others' mistakes and successes? One of the best ways to access this information is through books.
Here are the top 10 books new Founders should read:
Oldies but goodies
Zero to One by Peter Thiel with Blake Masters (2014)
Not only is this book one of the best startup books, but it's a favourite among ambitious and unconventional Founders who like daring, out-of-the-box ideas.
PayPal co-founder, Peter Thiel introduces a different approach to innovation and shares useful strategies and frameworks on how you can differentiate yourself from your competitors. You will also learn what investments you should make into your business and technology to achieve escape velocity.
Never Too Late to Startup by Rob Kornblum (2016)
Not all Founders are young disruptors. If you are one of the many Founders who began their startups midlife, this book is for you.
This book is filled with insights into how experience and age can be assets in the startup world, as well as advice for balancing later-in-life responsibilities, like families, with the demands of startup culture. It also includes practical tools such as a 90-day business timeline, a one-page business plan and a fundraising pitch template.
Tools of Titans by Tim Ferriss (2016)
Well-known investor and advisor Tim Ferris interviewed about 200 “titans” – famous business leaders and entrepreneurs worldwide – and collected success tips and stories from them. In this book, new Founders will find essential tools and tactics they can use in high-stakes negotiations, high-risk environments and large business dealings, as well as philosophies for running and leading a successful business.
Radical Candor by Kim Scott (2017)
A New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller, Radical Candor offers an indispensable guide for bosses and those managing bosses on how to be a great boss. Kim Scott shares her three principles for creating an organization where people love their work and their colleagues. This book contains actionable lessons on how to build a cohesive, high-performing team that achieves exceptional results.
Crack the Funding Code by Judy Robinett (2019)
Over the course of her career, Judy Robinett has led both private and public companies and worked with many venture firms. With this book, Founders will learn how to find the money, create compelling pitches that attract investors and structure deals that will help your startup get the funding it needs to expand and grow. Additionally, you'll find easy-to-follow deal checklists, a roadmap of where and how to locate the best funding resources for your particular industry and a step-by-step process to create pitches.
The latest and greatest
Digital Goddess by Victoria Montgomery Brown (2020)
Founder of Big Think, Victoria Montgomery Brown shares real-world lessons from her journey to the top and unpacks all the hurdles other female Founders may face when starting their own company. It’s a must-read for women entrepreneurs at any stage of their careers who want to build businesses that thrive in a world that isn't always fair, predictable, or politically correct.
Surviving a Startup by Steven Hoffman (2021)
This book by Steven Hoffman, CEO of Founders Space – one of the world's leading startup incubators and accelerators – provides Founders with the knowledge necessary to avoid disastrous mistakes, overcome sizable obstacles, and master the skills necessary to make the right choices to succeed.
He recounts the tumultuous process of launching a venture-funded startup and revealing what it takes to make it. Among the topics he covers are strategies for raising capital, tips on how to manage difficult employees and demonstrate leadership, how to recruit the best talent (even with no money) and developing innovative products.
The Minimalist Entrepreneur by Sahil Lavingia (2021)
Taking its cue from Lavingia's own business journey, The Minimalist Entrepreneur equips Founders with the necessary knowledge to build a company worth building. He teaches Founders how to build a community and solve a problem for them, how to avoid running out of money and maintain a healthy business despite the rise of gig economy and remote work. He also shares advice on how to own a business without it owning you back. This is perfect for new Founders who would rather build great companies than big ones.
From Startup to Exit by Shirish Nadkarni (2021)
This is a founder-to-founder guide to successfully navigating all phases of the tech startup journey. The author discusses the practical aspects of startup formation from founding, funding, management, and finding an exit. Featuring interviews with successful tech entrepreneurs, this book will help you understand what startups must do to succeed from idea stage to IPO, as well as gain invaluable insights into their tech Founder journeys.
Trajectory: Startup by Dave Parker (2021)
With a history of starting companies from scratch, raising both angel and venture capital, five-time tech Founder, Dave Parker helps new Founders go from ideation to launch and revenue within six months.
In this book, you'll learn how to build a tech product that makes money, how to recruit and work with cofounders, and how to ship a product and make your first sale. By providing a roadmap of tasks and timeframes, the book removes the mystery surrounding the startup process and helps you get the momentum you need to launch your business.
We hope that you can apply the learnings and advice in these books to help grow and scale your team and organization.
You might also like to check out our recommendations for the best tech podcasts if you're looking for something new to listen to.