First tryout at Aerey of the "No More Bullshit" speaker series we are launching throughout 2016. All comments are welcome as we're always looking for new angles to help young enterpreneurs worldwide to cut through the bullshit and stop drinking the Startup Kool-Aid.

2. 1
F#ck startups
Build a business. Not a startup.

3. F#ck startups
Build a business. Not a startup.
1
✖ I want to be rich !
✖ I want to be powerful !
✖ I want to be a cool kid !
✖ I want flexible working hours
WANTERPRENEUR

4. F#ck startups
Build a business. Not a startup.
1
ENTERPRENEUR
✔ I have a work ethic
✔ I can solve a problem
✔ I see an opportunity
✔ I have a passion for …

5. F#ck startups
Build a business. Not a startup.
1
Be committed. It’s a marathon.
Let common sense prevail. Cut through the startup bullshit.
Hard work. Hard work. And then some more.
It’s a company. Not a hobby.

6. 2
F#ck your idea
Because your idea sucks anyway

7. F#ck your idea
Because your idea sucks anyway.
2
✖ Hey, that was my idea
✖ An incubator will help me
✖ My mom thinks its great
✖ I know nothing about … *
TO ASSUME
Makes an ASS of U and ME

8. F#ck your idea
Because your idea sucks anyway.
2
TO VALIDATE
Be professional for f#cks sake
✔ Ideas need to be researched
✔ Test ideas on real people
✔ Validating assumptions
✔ Needs to be well executed

9. F#ck your idea
Because your idea sucks anyway.
2
A good idea with bad execution will fail.
A bad idea with good execution will fail too.
Ideas without execution are dreams.
If you have visions, go see a doctor.

10. 3
F#ck unicorns
Don’t raise money. Earn it.

11. WARNING. STRONG LANGUAGE AHEAD.

12. F#ck unicorns
Because your idea sucks anyway.
3
Valuations – It’s not a lie if you believe it
Valuations – Whatever an idiot is willing to accept
Valuations – The hot potato game / a rush to the exit
Let’s build a unicorn tonight

13. YOU ARE NOT A UNICORN
YOU ARE A COMPANY IN TROUBLE

14. Earn your money. Not raise it.
3
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1% 2% 3% 4% 5% 6% 7% 8% 9% 10% 11% 12% 13% 14% 15% 16% 17% 18% 19% 20% 21% 22% 23% 24% 25% 26%
FFF Seed Series A Series B …
?
Crossing the chasm / Buying time
“Patience” or “Guts”
Cash-need
“Balls”

15. F#ck unicorns
Because your idea sucks anyway.
3
There is nothing wrong with not raising money
Keep profit front and center from day one
Consider raising money as a last resort / necessity
Please understand a Term Sheet !!

16. F#ck unicorns
Because your idea sucks anyway.
3
Vet your investor before you give the opportunity to invest
VC money comes with equal ego and opportunity
100% of 10M or 10% of 100M ?
You want glory or cash ?

17. 4
F#ck passion
Follow the market. Not your passion.

18. F#ck passion
Follow the market. Not your passion.
5
Steve Jobs stumbled into Apple (a scheme to make a quick $1000)
when he was passionate about Eastern mysticism

19. F#ck passion
Follow the market. Not your passion.
5
Passion needs to be cultivated through hard work
If you work hard, you become good at something.
If you are good at something, you can make an impact.
If you make an impact, you feel good about it.

20. F#ck rockstars
Hire teams. Not individuals.

21. F#ck rockstars
Hire Teams. Not individuals.
5
✖ My *** has an agenda
✖ Brilliant assholes
✖ Corporate mindset
✖ I have no clue
YOUR STARTUP
IS DEAD

22. F#ck rockstars
Hire teams. Not individuals.
5
Fire Brilliant Assholes. Kill your heroes.
Hire on personality, then skill/pedigree. Do I want to have a drink?
Make sure your hires are smarter than you. Always.
Reduce gossip through clear communication.

24. F#ck growth hacks
Distribute your product. Don’t hack it.
6
Cut through the vanity metric bullshit (acquisition/churn)
Growth hacks often cover up for a shitty product
Growth hacking will backfire
Distribute a great product by a great team

25. F#ck growth hacks
Distribute your product. Don’t hack it.
6
✖ “We have viral loops”
✖ “Our product is so good…”
✖ “We can do B2C and B2B”
✖ “We can serve many industries”
YOU’RE SO FULL
OF IT

26. F#ck growth hacks
Distribute your product. Don’t hack it.
6
✔ Have a firm grasp on CAC/LTV
✔ Know your distribution channels
✔ Marketing mix
✔ Have a great product
NOW WE’RE
TALKING

27. 7
F#ck conferences
Don’t be a monkey in someone else’s circus.

28. F#ck conferences
Don’t be a monkey in someone else’s circus
7
Stay clear of startup media. Get industry coverage.
Skip on startup events. What are you doing here?
Only mediocre companies need startup competitions.
Prepare potential client meetings at industry conferences.

29. 8
F#ck mentors
Feed on measurable help. Not inflated egos.

30. F#ck mentors
Feed on measurable help. Not inflated egos.
8
✖ Self proclaimed innovation gurus
✖ Corporate or no experience
✖ Bottom feeders. Opportunistic.
✖ No structure. High level.
DEAD WOOD

31. F#ck mentors
Feed on measurable help. Not inflated egos.
8
✔ Discretion
MENTORS
✔ Tough and honest love
✔ Generous hands-on help
✔ Self-reflection
✔ Genuine, nice and interested

32. 10
F#ck failure
You might fail. But that doesn’t make it OK.

33. F#ck failure
You might fail. But that doesn’t make it OK.
9
Don’t glorify failure. It sucks, okay ?
You only fail in the eyes of someone else. Keep perspective.
Heal, learn, suck it up and then get back up.
Help yourself and others.

35. Use common sense. Work hard. Have fun.
Remain nice. Share. Contribute
But do not drink the Startup Kool-Aid