SamNav
SamNav Archive 2015 Unit Economics
SA-2015-09 · Entry 0068Public essay

Unit Economics

The post critiques the current state of startup economics in Silicon Valley, emphasizing the importance of sound unit economics. It warns against the trend of investing in companies with unsustainable financial models, highlighting the risks of high burn rates and low margins. The author advocates for focusing on creating valuable products with clear profitability to ensure long-term success.

Published 2015-09-21 3 min read 570 words 2 topics
Before you set out 3/5 Navigation SeverityCartographic IncidentThe route is real, but the signage gets weird enough to deserve a field note.
Excerpt · opening linespulled from source
Commentators are looking hard for what’s wrong with startups in Silicon Valley. First they talked about valuations being too high. Then they talked about valuations not really meaning anything. Then they talked about com
SamNav stores no post bodies. Only enough to orient you - the rest lives at the source.
Original source
Read the full essay on Sam Altman's blog
blog.samaltman.com/unit-economics
Opens the original in a new tab · last reachable 2026-06-05
Go to source

Nearby Entries

Within range by shared topic and coordinate - not by an algorithm.

SA-2013-03 3SeverityCartographic Incident

Upside risk

The post argues that many angel investors misunderstand the power law of returns, often focusing excessively on mitigating downside risk rather than recognizing the greater risk of missing out on exceptional investments. It suggests that investors should prioritize reasonable pricing and align incentives with founders to capitalize on potential high returns, rather than fixating on unfavorable terms that can hinder opportunities.

2 MIN
<RISK><MARKETS>
↗ shares 2 topics
SA-2013-06 2SeverityPoorly Marked

A founder-friendly term sheet

The post outlines a founder-friendly term sheet that emphasizes fair and straightforward investment terms. It advocates for removing the option pool from pre-money valuation, not requiring companies to cover legal fees, and allowing founders ample time to consider offers. The author stresses the importance of simplicity in deal structures and prioritizes long-term relationships between founders and investors.

2 MIN
<STARTUPS><MARKETS>
↗ shares 2 topics
SA-2013-06 3SeverityCartographic Incident

Party rounds

The post critiques the trend of party rounds in startup financing, arguing that raising small amounts from many investors can lead to a lack of focused support for companies. It emphasizes the importance of having engaged investors who can provide guidance and help coordinate future funding, suggesting that party rounds may hinder long-term success and capital raising efforts.

2 MIN
<STARTUPS><MARKETS>
↗ shares 2 topics