The Cold Start Problem

Andrew Chen’s framework for starting, scaling and defending network-effect businesses.

Drawing on Uber and a16z, Chen breaks network effects into a lifecycle - cold start, tipping point, escape velocity, ceiling and moat - and gives tactics for igniting the first 'atomic network' and growing it.

If your product gets better as more people use it, this is the playbook for the hardest part: getting the very first network to ignite.