Unicorn Tears Why Startups Fail and How To Avoid It

The real-world secrets to startup success

Unicorn Tears is the smart entrepreneur’s guide to startups. A full 92% of startups fail in the first three years — but failure is not inevitable. Most of these companies self-sabotage, unconsciously eliminating any chance at success before they even get started. It’s not the economy, it’s not politics, it’s not external factors; failure comes from within. This book shows you how to be one of the unicorns — one of the 8% who make it. Be prepared to un-learn everything you thought you knew about startups, as author Jamie Pride busts the harmful myths that lead so many companies to failure. Drawing upon his history as a venture capitalist, he reveals what investors want to see and hear, and what final factor puts your venture firmly into the “yes” column.

Pride understands what matters in startups, and what gets in the way; his Hollywood Method for start-up success gives you a proven formula based on the tried-and-true framework Hollywood uses to make movies that succeed around the globe. Case studies illustrate what success looks like on the ground, and brings a global perspective to successful entrepreneurship and the strategies that help your business grow.

• Learn the truth behind the eight myths of startups
• Adopt a proven formula for success based on Hollywood blockbusters
• Craft a winning pitch to bring investors — and capital — over to your side

• Gain real-world perspective on startups and future trends

Everyone wants their business to succeed, but wanting means nothing without a solid plan and the means to implement it. Unicorn Tears helps you set yourself up for success, and gives you the tools to forge your path to the top.

JAMIE PRIDE is a serial entrepreneur and venture capitalist on a mission to help build better founders and a better venture capital ecosystem to support them. With over 20 years of experience building and investing in startups, he has a unique insider's view into what it takes to make a startup successful and what it takes to get funded.

About the Author xiii

Introduction: There has to be a better way! xv

1 COUNTING THE COST 1

2 F IS FOR FAILURE 17

3 THE FOUNDER MYTH 33

4 IDEAS ARE CHEAP! 53

5 CASH IS KING 71

6 FOUNDER FITNESS 89

7 HOLLYWOOD GOT IT RIGHT 105

8 THE HOLLYWOOD METHOD^TM 119

9 FUNDING FITNESS 145

Final Thoughts 165

Acknowledgements 169

Index 171

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