1/ The path to a million dollars in revenues for #desi #founders and #startups - a promised over due thread
@jehan_ara
@kayzafar
@MaroofAliSyed
@alinawab
@TalhaIzhar
@TheNestiO
@faizansiddiqi
@jehan_ara
@kayzafar
@MaroofAliSyed
@alinawab
@TalhaIzhar
@TheNestiO
@faizansiddiqi
2/ For most founders the journey takes 3 to 6 years.
The actual path varies but generally includes three key transit point before you hit the golden milestone.
Less $250k, Less than $500k, Less than $800k, 1M+
The actual path varies but generally includes three key transit point before you hit the golden milestone.
Less $250k, Less than $500k, Less than $800k, 1M+
3/ I have yet to meet a team that did the $10k to $1M+ leap in less than 18 months in the real world.
I meet one that is planning to do it on paper or Excel in less than a year, once every month.
I meet one that is planning to do it on paper or Excel in less than a year, once every month.
4/ The first founding team that came close and of which I was a part, hit 800k in our 5th year before imploding in 2008. The next team hit the goal in 9 years.
It both instances it looked nothing like promised land. Stress went up, cash disappeared, things blew up faster.
It both instances it looked nothing like promised land. Stress went up, cash disappeared, things blew up faster.
5/ Our headcount in version 1.0 - 55
Our headcount in version 2.0 - 48
Both teams did enterprise software products for the banking industry. Both were organically funded till that point.
Our headcount in version 2.0 - 48
Both teams did enterprise software products for the banking industry. Both were organically funded till that point.
6/ Growth is difficult to digest.
Even if you are selling digital products or electrons, growth needs infrastructure to feed on.
Infrastructure is a physical constraint. It is limited by availability, pricing, costs, deployment time, training and unexpected contingencies
Even if you are selling digital products or electrons, growth needs infrastructure to feed on.
Infrastructure is a physical constraint. It is limited by availability, pricing, costs, deployment time, training and unexpected contingencies
7/ The 2nd big challenge is talent.
There are models that can get you $1M+ with a team of 10 but for most founders head count is closer to 50+
50 people aligned to same goals, pulling in same direction, in same room without killing each other is a remarkable achievement
There are models that can get you $1M+ with a team of 10 but for most founders head count is closer to 50+
50 people aligned to same goals, pulling in same direction, in same room without killing each other is a remarkable achievement
8/ The 3rd is customers and working capital.
How many orders is $1M+ for you. How many customers is that. What are they like? What do they want? How will they pay?
How will they pay is the big question. Cash or credit? Who provides the bridge if its credit?
How many orders is $1M+ for you. How many customers is that. What are they like? What do they want? How will they pay?
How will they pay is the big question. Cash or credit? Who provides the bridge if its credit?
9/ What can you do to project better?
Track your key metrics in terms of orders and customers for every year you project.
Be weary of magical leaps in employee productivity.
You will be running a dumber, not smarter organization as you grow.
Less efficient, not more.
Track your key metrics in terms of orders and customers for every year you project.
Be weary of magical leaps in employee productivity.
You will be running a dumber, not smarter organization as you grow.
Less efficient, not more.
9/ The path to a million dollars in revenues for #desi #founders and #startups - a promised over due thread
@jehan_ara
@kayzafar
@MaroofAliSyed
@alinawab
@TalhaIzhar
@TheNestiO
@faizansiddiqi
@jehan_ara
@kayzafar
@MaroofAliSyed
@alinawab
@TalhaIzhar
@TheNestiO
@faizansiddiqi
