Startups Are Like Rockbands

WARNING: Analogy coming up. If you don’t like analogies, hit the back button, now.

In my skewed worldview, here’s why I think startups are like rockbands.

They both essentially start of with one unit (could be one founder, two founders with a single goal etc.) I see this as a lone singer, either singing acapella or singing with an acoustic guitar/piano or just a solo instrumentalist.

This single unit then goes on to put up an online presence. In the case of most startups, that is of course a website that is hacked together fairly quickly. In case of that lonesome singer we spoke of, it means populating myspace, a profile on facebook, uploading videos on Youtube.

A small fan following begins, family and friends mostly.

Then suggestions and requests start pouring in. In case of the singer, songs to cover, gear, recording techniques, ways to advertise and the like. In case of the startup, features to have on the website, expansion of catalog, coding and usability, and of course ways to advertise and market yourself.

Both the startup and the singer realise they need more help. A singer looks for additional members. A startup looks for additional developers.

This is where most of the hit and miss happens — When you need to get a whole bunch of competent people together fairly quickly. The singer realises that the guitarist can’t tune a string. The startup realises that the developer cannot reverse a string. That two Grade Two pianists don’t make a Grade 4 pianist. That two Level 2 Developers do not make a Level 4 developer.

Some more chopping and changing happens. The lucky find their sweet spot sooner, rather than later.

Then comes the backend. While the rockband can wait a while before it gets its roadies, the startup needs its roadies fairly quickly. Especially if its a physical business like Flipkart is in.

But the rough edges get ironed out. The rockband gets a few gigs, more people hear them, they get a few more gigs. The startup starts expanding its customer base. People say good things about them and they get more users and customers.

Soon the rockband is touring around the country. Soon the startup is shipping books around the country.

(Hopefully) Eventually:

The singer has his hair gelled. The website has its UI slick.
The guitarist plays blistering arpeggios. The website is blisteringly AJAXIfied.
The piano player is absolutely fluid. The layout is absolutely liquid.
The drummer is precise at keeping time. The backend is precise in its loadtime.
The roadies setup and pack like clockwork. The supply chain packs and ships like clockwork.
The rockband gets its groupies. The startup gets its VCs.

The only question on everyone’s mind: “Where’s the bassist?”

Here I am, and I’m starting a Flipkart band.

We’re calling ourselves, “The Bookmarks”!

You read it here first, ladies and gentlemen.