While startups were once simpler with fewer choices, competitors, and platforms, they are now more complicated. The rise of cloud computing, mobile technology, and social media have led to more options for starting companies, but also greater complexity, competition, and challenges across multiple platforms. To succeed, startups must focus on simplicity, emotion, serving tasks across platforms, and sustaining attention and funding.

1. Who Says Startups are Easy?

2. 1999

3. Life was simpler ...

4. One Platform

5. Fewer Choices

6. Fewer Competitors

7. Just needed money.

8. 2011

9. It’s complicated

10. Anyone can start a company ...

11. Social + Cloud + Open Source = Startup

12. “ With the cloud comes unconstrained thinking
and willingness to tinker and experiment
without worrying too much about cost.”
Werner Vogels, Amazon

13. Wide penetration of mobile, broadband

14. ... but tougher to get it done.

15. “
More Options, More Decisions

16. More Startups, More Competition

17. More Platforms, More Problems

18. “ If you create something on the web, you’re your
own island and you try to get people to visit
your island. On the mobile phone, you don’t
have your own island. You’re renting land.”
Evan Williams, Twitter

19. So What Works?

20. Simplicity & Elegance

21. Happiness & Emotion

22. Multiple Platforms

23. Task Oriented

24. Three Keys to Success

25. Focus

26. Attention

27. and Money.

28. Photo Credits:
Slide 1: Flickr User Matt from London, http://www.flickr.com/photos/londonmatt/3559945802/
Slide 2: Prince, Cover Art
Slide 3: Its a Wonderful Life, http://www.imdb.com/media/rm4067983616/tt0038650
Slide 4: Flickr User Loozrboy. http://www.flickr.com/photos/loozrboy/5101030222/
Slide 5: Flickr User Roger Barker, http://www.flickr.com/photos/rogerbarker/2882617308/sizes/l/
Slide 6: Flickr User Whoshotya http://www.flickr.com/photos/whoshotya/1014730135/sizes/l/
Slide 7: Flickr User Tracy O, http://www.flickr.com/photos/tracy_olson/61056391/
Slide 8: Flickr User Kindofadrag, http://www.flickr.com/photos/kindofadraag/4581764953/
Slide 9: Ghosts of Girlfriends Past, Cover Art from DVD.
Slide 10: Flickr User oskay, http://www.flickr.com/photos/oskay/265900118/
Slide 11: Flickr User James Cridland, http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamescridland/613445810
Slide 12: Flickr User, Tom Raftery, http://www.flickr.com/photos/traftery/4773457853
Slide 13: The Opte Project, http://www.opte.org/maps/
Slide 14: Flickr User, John Spooner, http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnspooner/315157691
Slide 15: Flickr User 2493, http://www.flickr.com/photos/2493/2252942368/
Slide 16: Flickr User, Ana Badili, http://www.flickr.com/photos/anabadili/2759448841/
Slide 17: Flickr User Cyberslayer, http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyberslayer/952121271/
Slide 18: Flickr, http://www.flickr.com/photos/28096801@N05/3525799414/
Slide 19: iStockPhoto.com
Slide 20: Flickr User makelessnoise: http://www.flickr.com/photos/makelessnoise/133088673/
Slide 21: Flickr User Zoomerang, http://www.flickr.com/photos/zoomerang/539164134/
Slide 22: Flickr User Paldies, http://www.flickr.com/photos/paldies/4912781844/
Slide 23: Flickr User Cliff1066, http://www.flickr.com/photos/nostri-imago/5000121560/
Slide 24: George Clooney, The American. Publicity still.
Slide 25: Lady Gaga, Cover Art
Slide 26: Jay-Z cover art.
All Flickr photos used under Creative Commons license.