From making $6/week selling worms to making $110M+
About This Episode
James Currier, General Partner at NFX, discusses the critical role of network effects and "savage" founder speed in building multi-billion dollar companies. He shares personal stories from selling worms as a child to selling his company Tickle for $110 million, while explaining why he believes current investments in AI models are a mistake. The episode provides a framework for timing technology windows and explains how language dictates product success.
Episode Description
Show Notes
- 0:00$0 to $1.6B
- 4:23Your life on network effects
- 8:00Savage founders
- 13:40Speed
- 15:49The art of unlearning
- 21:23Technology window curves
- 30:29Network Vampire attacks
- 37:37Language first
- 43:15Tickle
- 42:29Finding a business bromance
- 58:47James isolation mistake
- 1:01:27Become an API
- 1:05:02AI business ideas
- 1:16:07What to do in your 20s
- 1:22:18One world currency
- 1:32:16Go to therapy
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Key Takeaways
Reframe speed from physical output to 'emotional speed': The ability to quickly abandon failing ideas and pivot toward success is more important than simply working long hours.
Identify 'The Technology Window': World-changing companies are built during specific 10-40 year windows where a technology is new; once winners establish network effects, the window for new entrants effectively closes.
Adopt a 'Language First' strategy: Use small ad spends to test different names and hooks for a product to identify high click-through rates before building any software features.
Business Ideas Mentioned
AI-Enhanced Vertical Service Rollups
AI & Automation
Equity-Based Niche Content Networks
Content & Media
AI-Powered Landscape X-Ray Vision
AI & Automation