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How to be The Startup Hero: A Guide and Textbook for Entrepreneurs and Aspiring Entrepreneurs Paperback – December 19, 2017

4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 143 ratings

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I hope that this book will inspire you to act. To make that move. To fulfill your vision. I want to take you closer to your goal, whether that be starting a billion-dollar unicorn, building a revolution, or just helping you better understand that change of any kind starts with you. You can be the Startup Hero. Startup Heroes are the ones that drive progress, and whether you bring us to another planet or make your neighborhood a nicer, happier place, you can become a Startup Hero. This book is the first step. It helps you take that first step. The step will be different for everyone. It might be to call that customer. It might be to draw up a design concept. It might be to talk to your boss. With this book, I hope to guide people to think big, drive change and go full speed ahead. I am giving them a pledge to do their work for good, and I am giving them some of the tools they need to accomplish their goals. This book is hard. It takes you through a variety of activities, questions, stories and challenges (even puzzles and poems) working both the right and left side of your brain and all the parts in between. The activities I propose are challenging and sometimes even embarrassing. The questions I ask are probing and provoking. The stories I tell are used as examples to guide you toward what I call Startup Heroism. So, why would you read this book? Well, I have worked for 30 years for entrepreneurs. I have supported, funded and coached Startup Heroes all my working life. And I have tested the concepts of this book on the students at Draper University and they have come out to be some of the most interesting, dynamic, and motivated people the world has ever seen. In fact, we have had about 1000 students from over 60 different countries come through the program at this writing, and they have started more than 300 companies! I wrote this book so that some of the thinking that I applied to Draper University could be spread wider, in hopes that these messages would reach other potential Startup Heroes (maybe you) who might make an impact on the world, be proactive about their work, or at the very least, improve their lives. So, I implore you. Read this book, try this book, do this book, play this book, absorb this book, experience this book. It might surprise you. It might thrill you. It might drive you. It might kill you. At the very least, I hope it will give you a perspective on how real progress is made, and at the very best, it might just change your life.
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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Independently published (December 19, 2017)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 363 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1973585340
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1973585343
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.22 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.91 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 143 ratings

About the author

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Tim Draper
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Tim Draper is a prominent Silicon Valley venture capitalist and founder of Draper Associates, DFJ, and the Draper Venture Network, a global network of venture capital funds. The firms’ investments include Baidu, Focus Media, YeePay, KongZhong, Skype, Hotmail, Tesla, SolarCity, Coinbase, Ledger, Robinhood, Athenahealth, Box, TwitchTV, SpaceX, Cruise Automation, Carta, Planet, PTC, and many others.

Tim is a leading spokesperson for Bitcoin, Blockchain, ICOs, and cryptocurrencies. He won the US Marshall’s auction in 2014 (where he bid on 50,000 bitcoins) and invests in over 50 crypto companies as well as leads investments in Coinbase, Ledger, Tezos, and Bancor, among others. He created viral marketing, a marketing method for exponentially spreading an electronic service from customer to customer, that was instrumental to the successes of Hotmail, Skype, and other applications.

Tim is regularly featured on major networks, in publications, and in social media as a proponent for entrepreneurship, innovative governance, free markets, and Bitcoin. He has received various awards and honors including the World Entrepreneurship Forum's "Entrepreneur of the World." He has also been highly ranked on several notable lists including one of the top 100 most powerful people in finance by Worth Magazine, the top 20 most influential people in Crypto by Crypto Weekly, #1 most networked venture capitalist by AlwaysOn, #7 on the Forbes Midas List, and #48 most influential Harvard Alum.

In his mission to promote entrepreneurship, Tim created Draper University of Heroes, a residential and online school based in San Mateo, California, to help extraordinary people accomplish their life missions. School alumni have gone on to build 350 companies including crypto leaders, QTUM, Spacecash, DataWallet, and Credo. He also started Innovate Your State, a non-profit dedicated to crowdsource innovation in government; and BizWorld, a non-profit that teaches young children how business and entrepreneurship work.

Tim is involved in California politics and education/organizations, having served on the California State Board of Education and starting a movement for local choice in schools that led to him becoming proponent for a statewide initiative for school vouchers. He also led a statewide initiative to create competitive governance with Six Californias, followed by an initiative for Three Californias.

Tim received a Bachelor of Science from Stanford University with a major in electrical engineering and a Master of Business Administration from the Harvard Business School.

Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
143 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book engaging and inspiring for entrepreneurs. They appreciate the stories and historical accounts that are well-crafted. The author's unique perspective on life and entrepreneurship is also appreciated. Overall, customers describe the book as entertaining and fun to read.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

19 customers mention "Readability"15 positive4 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and engaging. They describe it as a must-read for entrepreneurs and innovators. The stories in the book are inspiring.

"...This book is a great read and will for sure help people achieve startup hero status." Read more

"...Some of his suggestions are wacky and a bit off course but funny. A good read if you have entrepreneurial ambitions." Read more

"...The future will be a better place with Tim Draper around. Great book, great read, buy it, share it study it. Daniel Tadros" Read more

"...some interesting stories scattered through the book, there is not much technical value brought to a true businessman or entrepreneur...." Read more

12 customers mention "Inspiration"12 positive0 negative

Customers find the book inspiring for doing business and innovation. They say it provides great tips and life hacks to help entrepreneurs succeed. The book is informative, actionable, and a great resource for aspiring entrepreneurs.

"...His energy, enthusiasm, wisdom, inspiration is a miraculous tonic for these times. He has tried and failed, tried again, and again to succeed...." Read more

"...This book is a great read and will for sure help people achieve startup hero status." Read more

"I read this book in about a day. Contained helpful information. Some of his suggestions are wacky and a bit off course but funny...." Read more

"...A truly interesting book and fascinating character. This book has a positive outlook on the future and is inspiring for doing business and..." Read more

8 customers mention "Story quality"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the stories interesting and inspiring. They appreciate the historical account of many high-tech start-ups. Readers say the author has a unique way of viewing life and entrepreneurship.

"...From awesome stories about how other companies managed to get big to encouragement to write to people to say thanks!..." Read more

"...Tim has a unique way of viewing life and entrepreneurship. A truly interesting book and fascinating character...." Read more

"...Some of the stories are interesting, but if you took Guy Raz's question on "How I Built This" and asked Draper about how much of his success..." Read more

"...I loved the 2 parts of the book; the oath supported by stories were inspiring, while the second part was actionable and a great resource for..." Read more

3 customers mention "Fun to read"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book entertaining and humorous.

"...Some of his suggestions are wacky and a bit off course but funny. A good read if you have entrepreneurial ambitions." Read more

"A fun book if you want to understand the mindset of a VC-by-birth who is visibly proud of his elite portfolio and Ivy League connections just as if..." Read more

"What fun! Very entertaining!..." Read more

THE MOST AMAZING BOOK FOR ENTREPRENEURS OF 21st CENTURY!
5 out of 5 stars
THE MOST AMAZING BOOK FOR ENTREPRENEURS OF 21st CENTURY!
I've only just begun, but Mr. Draper is taking me by the hand down the Yellow Brick Road for the adventure of a lifetime. His energy, enthusiasm, wisdom, inspiration is a miraculous tonic for these times. He has tried and failed, tried again, and again to succeed. He has made the world a better place, and made many people reach their dreams, and millionaires.I hope to gain enough widsom from walking in his steps upon the pages of this book to in my turn make a difference by doing well and doing good with "Do What You Love Media" my education community, technology start-up.He could be floating round the globe on his yacht somewhere, living off interest, instead his interest is in making the world a more free, democratic, fair and innovative place for us all to prosper and find fullfillment.5 stars and a big Bravo!Larry Dvoskin 7/15/2019
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on July 15, 2019
    I've only just begun, but Mr. Draper is taking me by the hand down the Yellow Brick Road for the adventure of a lifetime. His energy, enthusiasm, wisdom, inspiration is a miraculous tonic for these times. He has tried and failed, tried again, and again to succeed. He has made the world a better place, and made many people reach their dreams, and millionaires.

    I hope to gain enough widsom from walking in his steps upon the pages of this book to in my turn make a difference by doing well and doing good with "Do What You Love Media" my education community, technology start-up.

    He could be floating round the globe on his yacht somewhere, living off interest, instead his interest is in making the world a more free, democratic, fair and innovative place for us all to prosper and find fullfillment.

    5 stars and a big Bravo!

    Larry Dvoskin 7/15/2019
    Customer image
    5.0 out of 5 stars
    THE MOST AMAZING BOOK FOR ENTREPRENEURS OF 21st CENTURY!

    Reviewed in the United States on July 15, 2019
    I've only just begun, but Mr. Draper is taking me by the hand down the Yellow Brick Road for the adventure of a lifetime. His energy, enthusiasm, wisdom, inspiration is a miraculous tonic for these times. He has tried and failed, tried again, and again to succeed. He has made the world a better place, and made many people reach their dreams, and millionaires.

    I hope to gain enough widsom from walking in his steps upon the pages of this book to in my turn make a difference by doing well and doing good with "Do What You Love Media" my education community, technology start-up.

    He could be floating round the globe on his yacht somewhere, living off interest, instead his interest is in making the world a more free, democratic, fair and innovative place for us all to prosper and find fullfillment.

    5 stars and a big Bravo!

    Larry Dvoskin 7/15/2019
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    Customer image
  • Reviewed in the United States on April 15, 2018
    It was perfect timing, being completely isolated from internet and what so ever in the Ecuadorian Amazon, just eating the book up in 4 days meanwhile exploring the fascinating nature and wildlife here. Every single chance I had to grap the kindle - I did. When being on the boat I barely glanced at the monkeys and birds in the catapys, it had more exciting things going on in front of me!

    From awesome stories about how other companies managed to get big to encouragement to write to people to say thanks! This book is a great read and will for sure help people achieve startup hero status.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on July 4, 2018
    I read this book in about a day. Contained helpful information. Some of his suggestions are wacky and a bit off course but funny. A good read if you have entrepreneurial ambitions.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 1, 2018
    I really tried to like this book, but Tim Draper's life story is from another time, place and maybe even planet. Growing up as he did in an incredibly privileged and globally established family his experiences and many of the recommendations in this book just don't translate to most of us who are trying to keep the lights on while trying to start their own business. Just like VC's love to give advice, mine is to re-position this book as memoir about Tim Draper's super life.
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 7, 2018
    A visionary - Fantastic book that brings us on a crusade of the heroes !!!

    Tim has a unique way of viewing life and entrepreneurship. A truly interesting book and fascinating character. This book has a positive outlook on the future and is inspiring for doing business and innovation with lots of love. The future will be a better place with Tim Draper around.

    Great book, great read, buy it, share it study it.

    Daniel Tadros
    3 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 2, 2018
    I'm a few chapters in and it's hard to keep going.

    The idea that I'm left with is that Tim Draper is absolutely insufferable to be in the same room with. In every story, he is the "hero", an amazing crusader who never makes a bad decision and is prescient about tomorrow. Some of the stories are interesting, but if you took Guy Raz's question on "How I Built This" and asked Draper about how much of his success was luck versus skill, the impression is that he does not believe in luck.

    Case in point - the chapter on his bucket list, and how many things he has done on it, comes in at 25 pages.
    The very next chapter is on treating people well, and it is 4 pages.

    Which type of person would you admire?

    If you want to read stories of an age gone by, where he is the star of the story for being in the right place and the right time, with lots of privilege (including family money to start a venture fund, and a HBS degree), then this is the book. Also, if you want to read poetry that he has written and included at the end of each chapter, this is also the book you are looking for. I just can't imagine that he didn't know someone who had the courage to take him aside and say, "Tim, this is a dreadful idea. Don't put poetry in your book." But having money means you get to do stupid things and people won't stop you.

    The current top positive review mentions behind the scenes stories on a bunch of big named companies that he noticed when he "flipped" through the book. That must have been all that he did, or he would have noticed the stories have as much substance as name dropping at a cocktail party. Tesla, Skype, etc. "I met a guy, who knew another guy, and I wrote a check. I'm totally amazing." If he were to compare the stores of the also-rans, the ones that didn't go alongside them, he would have my respect, but this isn't a book worth the digital paper it's printed on.

    I had hoped for so much more. If you read the intro and feel similarly, Ben Horowitz's book is likely the one you are looking for.
    46 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on May 23, 2018
    So much wisdom for all of the entrepreneurs in the world seeking to be a hero. This is a MUST read for those of you seeking you to be true superheroes to lead our future. This is written by someone who know the entrepreneurial world and has truly exceptional experience and has learned lessons for all of us... Learn from Tim's life changing real life stories, quexercises, and more. You will enjoy learning a history of entrepreneurship in one text... Enjoy and learn to live the 12 principles of the Startup Hero Pledge!
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 11, 2019
    This is a hashed up history of Drapers great investments, with no real analysis as to the investments themselves or insights into either the investing process or the success of the companies. Its also an exercise in patting himself on the back. I was hoping for a peak inside the mind of a great VC. Instead, this feels like him showing off his expensive watch collection.
    2 people found this helpful
    Report

Top reviews from other countries

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  • A. B.
    2.0 out of 5 stars Virtually useless
    Reviewed in Canada on March 26, 2018
    No real useful information.
  • sunil joglekar
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in India on April 18, 2018
    Everything one wished to know about the real-world practical start ups !
  • mike
    5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome - a MUST READ
    Reviewed in Germany on January 10, 2018
    This is a must read for any entrepreneur. The book describes most of the facettes of creating a new company.
  • Denise Hart-Christie
    1.0 out of 5 stars Lost interest
    Reviewed in Australia on November 5, 2019
    A series of irrelevant stories and no practical content
  • Stan
    1.0 out of 5 stars Ego trip without any substance
    Reviewed in Germany on July 29, 2019
    An ego trip with no substance. There is absolutely nothing interesting and practical about this book - it reads as a autobiography written by the author himself where he constantly praises himself of how great investor he is. Also note that he went into the game with 10mil from his parents and seems oblivious that most people don’t have such luxury. There is absolutely nothing of substance. The poems at the end of every chapter are cringeworthy. I would recommend this book only if you wish to read biography of author of this book.