Startups

First, run the pre-mortem in reverse: what did the slip teach you that shipping on time would have hidden?

Asked I have one big idea and limited savings. Play it safe or bet on it?

Bet on it, with a few caveats. The most successful founders are the most determined, not the most talented, so the real question…

Asked I have one big idea and limited savings. Play it safe or bet on it?

Bet it. I got sued for a quarter trillion dollars at Scour, went broke at Red Swoosh, and came back Superpumped both times.

Asked I have one big idea and limited savings. Play it safe or bet on it?

The question is wrong. You don't bet savings on an idea, you spend a little of it finding out whether people want the thing.

Asked I have one big idea and limited savings. Play it safe or bet on it?

The question isn't safe versus risky, it's whether you know a secret.

Asked I have one big idea and limited savings. Play it safe or bet on it?

Here's the thing nobody tells you: playing it safe IS the risky move, it just fails slowly instead of fast.