"Every great company is a conspiracy to change the world."

Peter Thiel's instant classic, Zero to One, is required reading for every founder, aspiring VC, and person who wants to help great founders and work in venture capital

Here is a quick breakdown of what the book discussed:

0 to 1 or 1 to N?
1. Going from 0 to 1 means creating something entirely new. Think Google.
2. 1 to N is scaling or improving existing ideas, through incremental progress. Think Hoka running shoes.
Monopolies & Competition
1. 0 to 1 companies often become monopolies.
2. They thrive because they aren't consumed by competition and can focus on growth.
The Value of Secrets
1. The world still holds untapped secrets.
2. 0 to 1 ideas are often secrets.
3. “What valuable company is nobody building?” PT
The Power Law of Venture Capital
1. Most returns come from a few groundbreaking investments.
2. Therefore, the bets VCs make should be made on transformative ideas, not copycats.
Creating the Future
1. Copying isn’t enough.
2. Startups must aim to define the future by creating new ideas and technology for the world.
3. Copycats are not innovative.
Technology vs. Globalization
1. Progress happens through innovation not just expansion.
2. Technology = 0 to 1
3. Globalization = 1 to N
Sales is Essential
1. Great products don’t sell themselves.
2. Great products are often misunderstood at first.
3. Therefore, strong distribution, marketing,and sales are essential for0 to 1 companies.

What secret do you know?

What 0 to 1 Actually Means