16 books for startup founders
One thing I get asked a lot by founders is to recommend books to read. So here is a short list of just of some of the startup-related books I consider important reading. Some are basic starting points, but a few are valuable even to very experienced founders. There are plenty more I could have included, and please feel free to share your recommendations in the comments.
On the topic of startup ecosystem building
- Startup Communities (by Brad Feld) — the play book on how to build a startup community in any city. Everyone in the startup community (inc Gov, corporates, professionals, investors) must read this book.
- StartupAUS Crossroads report (by StartupAUS) — the annual Australian startup ecosystem report, with a strong focus on gaps and needs.
On starting
- How to Build A Startup (Lean Launchpad) (by Steve Blank) — a free online video course by the inventor of the Lean Startup methodology
- 7 Day Startup (by Dan Norris) — all things Dan Norris are amazing (yes, man-crush disclosure), and this is a great action-based instruction book for those new to startups. Dan has also written other awesome reads including Content Machine, and Create or Hate.
- I assume everyone has read it by now, but Lean Startup (by Eric Reis) — one of the very first books introducing the lean startup approach
On founder mindset
- The Hard Thing About Hard Things (by Ben Horowitz) — one of my favs, this book tells it as it is — being a CEO is f***ing hard.
- Elon Musk (by Ashlee Vance) — read this and you’ll realise you’re not worthy, nor working hard enough, and inspire you to do more.
On founder skills
- How to measure anything (by Douglas Hubbard) — somewhat repetitive and dry mathematics, but an important skill-set for data-driven decision making.
- I’m also a fan of all things Tim Ferris (including The 4 Hour Work Week and Tools of Titans).
On selling
- Secrets of closing the sale (by Zig Ziglar) — it is seriously dated, and can be hard to listen to, but a solid instruction guide on the fundamental basics of how to sell (as in, actually close deals)
On investment
- Venture Deals (by Brad Feld) — the definitive guide to startup investment deals, for both startups and investors (get it in paper form, not the audio book, because it makes a great reference material to keep close at hand)
- Slicing Pie (by Mike Moyer) — how to slice equity and build a company without necessarily raising cash
On where we are heading
- The Singularity is Near (by Ray Kurzweil) — explains how we are heading to the point of humans living inside the matrix
Please comment below with your reading suggestions too, as I’m going to use this as a link whenever I get asked to make reading recommendations.
[Full disclosure: some of the links are through my affiliate account with Book Depository, so I will receive a small commission on sales if purchased via some of the links above. But feel free to buy the books wherever you want. I personally rarely buy physical copies of books, and much prefer Audible.]
