Thread by @IlanGur

I've built up an arsenal of geeky metaphors to help scientists make sense of startups and entrepreneurship.

Figured it might make for a fun 🧵to share a few here... /1

[Chemistry] Your startup is a chemical rxn. Value prop dictates thermo, business model dictates kinetics. Success requires [A] an exothermic reaction (products more valuable than reactants) & [B] overcoming activation barriers (fundraising, distribution, etc.). /2

[Newtonian Mechanics] Entrepreneurship is about punching above your weight and leveraging resources outside of your direct control. Always seek leverage points. /3

[Optics] There is a broad spectrum of approaches to get new technologies to market. Capital sources are bandpass filters. Understand the incentives and constraints of your funders before you take their $. /4

[Basic algebra] VCs never invest in a point. They are far more interested in the shape of the curve and the derivatives. Build your entire story and pitch around d[value/risk]/d[t]. /5

[Electrochemistry] VC backed startups are optimized for high current, not high efficiency. The system is meant to be operated out of equilibrium w/ high over-potentials. Thermal loss & side reactions are expected - your job is to manage those & avoid runaway reactions. /6

[Wave theory] First time entrepreneurs often make the mistake of focusing on phase velocity. Don't get burned out chasing the ups and downs of each wave -- all that matters is group velocity (and the two are not necessarily correlated). /7

So many fun direction to go here. Evolutionary biology of pivots, inflation theory of SPACs, special relativity of fundraising...

What you got, nerdy tech founder twitterverse? /8

Dig this thread? Check out activate.org/learn where we've published some longer form content to help scientists grok hard tech entrepreneurship. Nearly impossible w/o somehow getting it wrong, but we're gonna try...

Wanna help? DM me we're hiring.