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Consumer Unicorns: The art of building billion dollar startups
@saraannet@mavenvc
Sara Thomas
Consumer software + transportation
6 exits + 20 active companies5 Billion-Dollar Successes
$1B sale to GM
$1B+ valuation
$6B IPO $850M sale to AOL$1B valuation
About Maven Ventures
About Me
Sara Thomas DeshpandePartner, Maven Ventures
Former Founder9 years Supporting Startups
Seed
6-8 Companies Per Year
Hands-On
$250K-$500KChecks
Silicon ValleyNew YorkTel Aviv
LA
Our Strategy
Our Portfolio: A Few Examples
Acquired
Acquired
Top Ten Tips for Success in Consumer Tech
1. A vision worth fighting for
6th Fastest VC Exit to $1Bn…ever
Source: CB Insights, Quick Flips
2016 Was Just The Beginning!
Time to Self Driving Production, CEOs say…
Source: Driverless Car Market Watch
2020
2021
2020
2018
Does the problem really need fixing?
Does the problem really need fixing?
Beware of Road Kill
Hacker Designer Hustler
2. Founding team
2. Founding team
Designer
Hacker
Hustler
3. Culture
Culture: an example
MissionMaven is the premier incubator and early stage investor for hyper-growth consumer founders
Values 1. Collaborative: We are not political, willing to share praise, and honest and
transparent with each other. We put the team and company first.2. No jerks: We are happy, positive, and fun to work with.3. Accountable: We are high-performing, get stuff done, and value attention to
detail.4. Curious: We are always willing to learn. We are knowledgeable and strive to be
experts in our field.5. Self-starters: We take initiative, work autonomously, and are resourceful.
4. Product/market fit
5. Growth hacking
What is Growth Hacking?
The process of acquiring new customers through:• Data-driven marketing• Creative (often free/ unpaid) strategies and channels• Organized experimentation • Cross-functional work by engineering, product, and marketing
Growth hacking: focus
Growth hacking: find your “one metric that matters”
Weekly Active Re-Pinner “WARP”
Net Deposits (Deposits – Withdrawals)
7 Friends in 7 Days
No silver bullet
6. Language/market fit
I Agree
Naming Zoom
SaasBee vs.
7. Focus
B2B vs B2C
8. Mentor whiplash
9. Investors
9. Investors
Seed Consumer Software
Hands-On
10. Luck and timing
Recap
1. A vision worth fighting for2. Founding team 3. Culture4. Product/market fit 5. Growth hacking6. Language/market fit7. Focus 8. Mentor whiplash 9. Investors 10. Luck and timing
