A talk I gave at the TechSuperwomen Summit (Jan 2015).

1. STARTUPS ARE LIKE BABIES
Ages and Stages, How Raising a Child
is Like Raising a Startup

2. BABIES ARE LIKE STARTUPS
Presented to you using an investor deck
(obviously).

3. A shoutout
to all
that have
done it
before
not the
1st -
won’t be
the last

4. Introduction
Name: Raina
Age of child: 15 months
Marital Status: Married
Education: Ongoing
Location: Redwood City, CA
Occupation: CEO Juggernaut
& Co-Founder, Mavin
“
“Facetious Comment: I took two weeks of
maternity leave because pumping on
conference calls is entirely possible!

5. Introduction
Name: Mavin
Age: 12 months
Funding Status: Seed
Team: 8 People
Location: Palo Alto, CA
Industry: Mobile Data Access & Engagement
“
“Mobile Internet for All

6. The hard and unrelenting work comes later, once you realize what you have actually signed up for.
#1 Initial Conception is So Much Fun
TARGET
POTENTIAL
MARKET
50% people
have a computer
those in the total population who could
potentially acquire the product.
POSSIBLE KIDS
QUALIFIED
PARTNER TO
MAKE BABIES
TARGET
MARKET
10.000.000
Digital Professionals
the segment of the qualified available
market that your startup can serve.
Your Target for Adding to
the Global Population
those in the potential market who are in
the condition to buying the product.
Only 20% of men in your age
group but only 1% you like.
those in the available market who legally
are permitted and could have a strong
interest buying this product.
GLOBAL
POPULATION
1 2
12

7. Generic Advice Isn’t Really Helpful
#2 They Grow in Unique Ways
Every child, and product has its own growth pattern.

8. DATA
information
DATA
information
DATA
information
DATA
information
DATA
information
DATA
information
DATA
information
DATA
information
DATA
information
DATA
information
You Always think you are 6 months away from figuring it all out.
#3 The Learning Curve is Endless

9. Savings and Cognitive Availability
#4 It Eats Up Your Surplus
20%
Email
Marketing
25%
Social Media
Marketing
30%
Spot TV
and Web TV
25%
Flash Mob
Creation
Financial Planning & Burn Rate is not optional.

10. Savings and Cognitive Availability
#4 It Eats Up Your Surplus
20%
Toys
25%
Food
30%
Childcare
25%
Diapers
Financial Planning & Burn Rate is not optional.

11. You’re always wearing many different hats.
#5 Never Enough
You never get to 100% done. Ever.
Source: “All Parents Everywhere”
John Doe
50% 45%
NannyJane Doe
90%

12. #5 Never Enough
You never get to 100% done. Ever.
Source: “All Co-Founders Everywhere”
Business Development
50% 45%
MarketingEngineering
90%
You’re always wearing many different hats.

13. And You Have No Personal Time
#6 You’re Often Up at 2am
Mythical Activities
Reading a book, going to a
movie.
Work, KPI’s,
Suitable for all category, Lorem
Ipsum is not simply random text.
It has roots in a piece.
Cleaning
Feeding Kids
Dinner is tyranny.
Bedtime Routine
1 hour gone every night for the
next 10 years.
Researching PreschoolsJane Doe
AKA “mom” Waitlists are two years?
Food is everywhere.

14. Hire the right, best people you can find, before someone else does
#7 Never Hire Out of Desperation
UI EngineerNanny

15. Don’t lose patience.
#8 Always User Test & Rapidly Iterate
BREADS VEGGIES CHEESES MEATS BERRIES
HAPPY
CUSTOMER
?

16. APPRECIATION
AWARDS
These don’t
exist, FYI.
You’ll have to do it yourself.
#9 If you want something done…
Shit Happens.
Roll up Your
Sleeves.

17. There’s only so many people who truly understand, or care!
#10 You Need Your Tribe
Other Moms
Working Moms
People in a Startup
Women in a Startup Parents in a Startup
People in Tech Other People
can talk
poop
real talk
shop talk
real talk
can talk
real talk
tech talk

18. YES IT IS
HARD
WORK

19. 0.00
22.00
44.00
66.00
88.00
110.00
Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4
Business Development Personal Development Child Development
But don’t do it if you’re not ready for total emotional and physical change.
Both Startups & Kids Are Good for the Soul