You’ve found our list of the best startup books.
startup books are guides to launching and growing new businesses. These jobs cover topics such as raising capital, bringing products to market, building a brand, and growing at a sustainable rate. the purpose of these books is to position founders to more effectively handle the stress and challenges of building a business from scratch and increase the chances of long-term success.
You are reading: Books on tech startups
These books are a type of business book and are similar to entrepreneurship books, small business books, and franchise books.
this list includes:
- tech startup books
- startup books
- startup books for beginners
here we go!
start book list
Here’s a list of must-read books on startups to help build and scale businesses from scratch.
1. the lean start: how today’s entrepreneurs use continuous innovation to create radically successful businesses by eric ries
lean startup is one of the best-selling tech startup books. The lean startup methodology consists of five fundamental principles:
- entrepreneurs are everywhere
- entrepreneurship is management
- validated learning
- build-measure-learn
- innovative accounting
By following these guidelines, entrepreneurs can save costs, operate more effectively, and avoid common mistakes, all while scaling the business and maximizing staff creativity. The book teaches readers how to form and articulate a vision, test and experiment with ideas, adapt to change, and grow sustainably. lean startup is a manual for building strong startup foundations that help organizations achieve longevity.
Notable Quote: “Success is not about offering a feature; success is learning to solve the customer’s problem.”
buy the lean startup.
2. zero to one: notes on startups or building the future by peter thiel and blake masters
from zero to one is one of the most popular entrepreneurship books for entrepreneurs. Peter Thiel co-founded PayPal and Palantir and launched a profitable VC that invested in major companies like Facebook, and Blake Masters served as COO of Thiel Capital. The authors use this combination of knowledge and experience to guide founders through the complexities of the startup world. The book’s central premise is that great startups don’t just reinvent existing ideas, they innovate and bring entirely new products to market. zero to one teaches entrepreneurs how to break through the gridlock, create revolutionary technology or concepts, and launch a business that reshapes the business landscape and the world.
Notable quote: “All companies that fail are the same: they failed to escape the competition.”
buy zero to one.
3. The Startup Checklist: 25 Steps to a High-Growth, Scalable Business by David S. pink
The Startup Checklist is one of the most comprehensive startup guides. Serial Entrepreneur and Investor David S. rose provides step-by-step instructions and practical tips for launching and growing a successful startup. The book covers topics such as finding a viable business model, networking with other entrepreneurs, navigating the legal and financial systems, building strong teams, and raising funds. The startup checklist provides a roadmap for building a business that includes all of the most important operational elements.
Notable quote: “in particular, it is crucial at the outset to distinguish the business concept from the product concept”
shop start checklist.
4. high growth handbook: scaling startups from 10 to 10,000 people by elad gil
The High Growth Playbook is a playbook for fast-scaling startups. The book traces the evolution of successful, high-growth companies such as Twitter, Google, Stripe, and Airbnb and points to patterns in behaviors that allow entrepreneurs to rapidly expand the business. The manual covers topics such as recruiting and working with a top executive, interacting with board members, navigating IPOs, and securing late-stage financing. The High Growth Playbook shows founders how to stimulate hypergrowth without losing control, forgetting the core vision, or sacrificing company culture.
starred quote: “all startup advice is only useful in context, and I firmly believe that the only good generic startup advice is that there is no such thing as good generic startup advice” .
buy high growth manual.
5. lost and founder: a painfully honest field guide to the world of startups by rand fishkin
See Also: Kent Haruf – Book Series In Order
lost and founder is one of the best startup books for beginners. Rand Fishkin presents an honest account of the trials and tribulations of founding and scaling a startup. The book discards the romance of overnight sensation storytelling in favor of the reality that running a successful startup requires years of hard work and mindful strategy. Chapters come with titles like “Not Raising Money for the Wrong Reasons or From the Wrong People” or “Startups Carry Their Founders’ Baggage” and cover topics like dynamic, scalable marketing and timely product launches . . lost and founder introduces “startup chat codes”, which are less shortcuts and more self-awareness, research, and filtering through the noise to find the right advice.
Notable Quote: “Growth hacks alone can’t solve all your marketing problems, but the right ones can add immense value to an already working marketing flyer.”
buy lost and founder.
6. the mom test: how to talk to clients & learn if your business is a good idea when everyone is lying to you by rob fitzpatrick
The mom test hypothesizes that just as moms will agree with you out of love, many co-workers and bystanders will exaggerate or lie in an effort to show support. asking for the opinions of others directly is not the most reliable method of evaluating ideas. instead, entrepreneurs must learn to ask the right questions and find audiences that are more honest. The Mom Quiz lays out formulas for avoiding bad data, crafting constructive questions, and connecting more authentically with customers. this book is a recipe for leaving behind the hype and flattery and finding the truths that will help guide organizational improvements.
starred quote: “it comes down to this: you can’t tell them what their problem is, and in return, they can’t tell you what to build. they own the problem, you own the solution.”
buy mom’s test.
7. lean analytics: use data to build a better startup faster by alistair croll and benjamin yoskovitz
lean analytics is a guide to using data to inform startup business decisions. By paying attention to the numbers, founders can grow startups faster. Measurable metrics can help founders accurately gauge the interest and needs of potential customers and monitor consumer behavior. these measurements reveal whether a startup is on track to meet goals or if a course change is needed. The book explores topics such as what makes a good metric, how to analyze data results, and how to use numbers in ways that create meaningful change. lean analytics is a simplified encyclopedia of data analysis as well as an instructional guide to making data-driven business decisions.
Notable Quote: “Don’t just ask questions. know how the answers to the questions will change your behavior. in other words, draw a line in the sand before taking the survey.”
buy optimized analytics.
8. traction: how any startup can achieve explosive customer growth by gabriel weinberg and justin mares
traction is one of the best business start-up books. having a good idea is not enough for a startup to survive. To last, startups must progress and catch up with potential customers. traction as a concept is the measure of audience acceptance of a new idea, and book traction is a guide to gaining that momentum. The book explains how to set traction goals, measure momentum, maximize media exposure, and convert brand awareness into sales. This guide is comprehensive, covering the full scope of ways to increase visibility, including email marketing, community building, in-person engagements, and paid supports. traction is a manual for turning a startup into a household name using practical and sustainable tactics.
Notable Quote: “The only thing essential is growth. everything else we associate with startups stems from growth.”
buy traction.
9. founders at work: stories from the early days of startups by jessica livingston
Founders at Work is an anthology of early start-ups. Following the format of an interview with the founders, the book traces the early days of companies such as TripAdvisor, Apple, PayPal, and Yahoo. Jessica Livingston is a co-founder of the famous startup accelerator and combinator, and this entrepreneurial background shows in the questions she asks founders. the book reads like a conversation between thought leaders rather than a self-help guide. however, Founders at Work is a useful resource for startups looking to launch, struggling to survive, or looking to innovate. The book offers a behind-the-scenes look at the beginnings that preceded the last polished days of big business.
Notable quote: “Innovations seem inevitable in hindsight, but at the time it’s an uphill battle.”
buy founders at work.
10. founder’s dilemmas: anticipating and avoiding the pitfalls that can sink a startup by noam wasserman
Founder’s Dilemmas explores the issues and tough decisions founders face when setting up new businesses. The book outlines common mistakes new entrepreneurs make and prescribes strategies and tactics to avoid these mistakes. Chapters focus on concepts such as determining stock splits or cash compensation, hiring at the right time, and defining roles within the organization. Drawing on anecdotes and data from hundreds of founders, Noam Wasserman provides advice on how to manage relationships with partners, employees, and investors, and how to make decisions that benefit the company in the long run. The Founder’s Dilemmas is a reference guide for overcoming obstacles and getting start-ups out of trouble.
Notable Quote: “A decision made at one time can make a later decision turn out badly, even if that later decision might have turned out right under different circumstances.”
buy the founder’s dilemmas.
11. secrets of sand hill road: venture capital and how to get it by scott kupor
While most books on startups are written from a founder’s point of view, Secrets of Sand Hill Road shares secrets from a venture capitalist’s perspective. Having experience as both an entrepreneur and a VC, Scott Kupor is in the unique position of being equipped to offer practical funding advice to founders. The book sheds light on VC rationale and investment strategy and provides leaders with advice on topics such as using narrative to persuade sponsors, keeping VC from interfering too much with day-to-day operations, and laying the groundwork for the sale. or acquisition of the organization. secrets of sand hill road is a masterclass in the fundamentals of financing and is a valuable reference for any startup looking to raise capital.
See Also: 7 Childrens Books About Deafness | Deaf Unity
Notable Quote: “In fact, you’ll often hear vcs say they like founders who have strong opinions but are weak, i.e. the ability to incorporate compelling market data and enable evolve your product thinking. have conviction and a well-vetted process, but allow yourself to “pivot” (to invoke one of the great euphemisms in venture capital parlance) based on real-world feedback.”
shop secrets of sand hill road.
12. dear founder: 66 letters of advice from women entrepreneurs who have earned $1 billion in revenue per lu li
dear founder talks about the unique challenges and triumphs of launching, leading and growing a new business as a woman. The book collects words from dozens of women entrepreneurs, including philanthropists, venture capitalists, media moguls, and e-commerce entrepreneurs. The sections of the book focus on different stages of the startup process, from getting started to learning and reflecting on the lessons. dear female founder is an anthology of advice from one generation of female startup leaders to the next.
Notable Quote: “I believe there is a need to reinvent the startup incubation experience to address the challenges women face. I also believe that women are the least exploited resource for economic improvement.”
buy dear founder.
13. Whatever You Want: 40 Lessons for a New Kind of Entrepreneur by Derek Sivers
anything you want is one of the best starter books online. Derek Severs started an online CD business in the early 2000s and later sold it for $22 million dollars. his story is a practical guide to unconventional business. the author advocates finding and following your own entrepreneurial path rather than following rigid structures and arbitrary conventions. book champions follow their passion, start without traditional funding, and set their own career goals instead of striving for an ideal. Severs advises not to stress over having a small but loyal customer base and not to feel embarrassed if his business is a current project rather than his life’s work. Anything You Want offers an alternative to the stereotypical startup narrative that is especially relevant for the internet age.
Notable Quote: “never forget that absolutely everything you do is for your customers. make all decisions, including decisions about whether to expand the business, raise money, or promote someone, based on what’s best for your customers.”
buy what you want.
14. the hard of hard things: building a business when there are no easy answers by ben horowitz
The Difficult About Difficult Things remains one of the best-selling startup books on the market. Entrepreneur and thought leader Ben Horowitz exposes the realities of building a startup and the tough decisions CEOs and founders face along the way. The book tackles topics like firing an executive, confronting beloved employees about poor performance, minimizing office politics, and striking a balance between responsibility and creativity. The Hard of Hard Things presents practical, first-hand advice on some of the most complicated but least discussed challenges in the world of startups.
Notable quote: “Don’t spend time on what you could have done and spend all your time on what you could have done.”
buy the hard of the hard stuff.
conclusion
Society paints startup founders as revolutionaries who shake up systems and blaze trails into the future. While startups can make a huge impact on the world, the path to running a successful startup isn’t as simple or straightforward as most people believe. Founding a new business comes with a unique set of challenges, and leaders can often feel lost when trying to figure out the best moves for each situation. Reading books about startups can help prepare ambitious entrepreneurs for the realities of starting and maintaining a startup, and can help leaders better navigate the complexities of the innovative industry in the midst of crisis or change.
To read more, check out these lists of innovation books, marketing books, training and development books, and change management books.
We also have a list of books on business finance.
frequently asked questions: starter books
here are answers to common questions about start-up books.
what are starter books?
startup books are guides to launching and growing new businesses. these works cover topics such as fundraising, growth hacking, marketing and branding, and adversity.
what are the best starter books for beginners?
The best startup books for beginners include Lost and Founder by Rand Fishkin, The Startup Checklist by David S. rose and lean startup by eric ries.
what are some books every startup founder should read?
Some books every startup founder should read include Noam Wasserman’s Founder’s Dilemmas, Scott Kupor’s Secrets of the Sand Hill Road, and Peter Thiel and Blake Masters’ Zero to One.
Is it helpful to read books about startups to start a business?
Reading books about startups is helpful in building a business because these guides prepare founders for the challenges of entrepreneurship and help leaders avoid the common pitfalls that plague young businesses. Founders often cannot rely on members of the organization or industry for guidance, and the advice and insights of established entrepreneurs can be a valuable resource for navigating ever-changing and competitive business environments.
Press “ctrl + d” or “command + d” to mark this page for updates.
You can follow us on linkedin for team building tips!
share this article: