Your Company Is Already Dead

Your Company Is Already Dead

Author: Burak Buyukdemir January 19, 2025 Duration: 3:16

Big companies don't fail from lack of innovation.They fail from successful resistance to it.Episode with Tendayi Viki about startups and corporate innovation.

The Warning Signs:

* "We're too busy running the business"

* "Let's not mess with what works"

* "Innovation is a distraction"

* "Our customers love us as we are"

The Real Cost:

* Market share: Slow decline

* Revenue: Looks fine until it doesn't

* Competition: Invisible then invincible

* Innovation: Too little, too late

What Actually Works:

✓ Treat success as a threat✓ Innovation before desperation✓ Reward experiments, not just results✓ Build speedboats inside oil tankers

Remember:

"Success makes you strong.But it also makes you slow.

By the time you feel the need to change,The market has already moved on."

We've created a dedicated WhatsApp channel exclusively for our Startup Istanbul Substack members. It's the place to be for real-time discussions, valuable connections, and exclusive updates on the Istanbul startup ecosystem.

Join us now - space is limited!



Get full access to Startup Istanbul at newsletter.startupistanbul.com/subscribe

Hosted by Burak Buyukdemir, the Startup Istanbul Podcast pulls back the curtain on the fast-moving world of new ventures and innovation. This isn't about abstract theories; it's a direct line to the people building, funding, and shaping the future. Each conversation goes beyond the polished success story, delving into the real challenges and pivotal decisions faced by founders and investors navigating markets across the globe. You'll hear firsthand accounts from entrepreneurs who have scaled their ideas and the experts who help them do it, offering practical insights you won't find in a textbook. Tuning into this podcast feels like gaining access to a private roundtable, where the focus is on actionable knowledge and honest reflection about what it truly takes to build something meaningful. For anyone curious about the mechanics of technology and business, these discussions provide an essential, grounded perspective on the global startup ecosystem. It’s where ambition meets experience, offering listeners a genuine understanding of the journey from concept to reality.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 64

Startup Istanbul Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Lessons from a16z Speedrun’s Josh Lu [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:26
Last month, I was in San Francisco for the a16z Speedrun Demo Day — surrounded by brilliant Substack writers, top founders, and sharp investors.I had the chance to meet so many great friends:* Great opportunity to meet A…
Stop Racing to Raise Money [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:04
I had an eye-opening chat with Jason Fried on my podcast about startup funding. His perspective challenges everything most founders believe.Controversial truth that needs to be said:”Not all external money is worth takin…
Get Investors to Notice You (In 2025) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:24
In this week's post, we're diving into the crucial topic of attracting investors, with insights from a true expert. I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Ed Kang, a seasoned startup advisor and investor, who bring…
Instant Pitch Deck Killers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:59
Just had an incredible chat with Ed Kang from Startups.com about what really happens when investors look at your deck.Here's the shocking truth:You don't have 10 minutes.You have:* 1 seconds for the cover* 3 seconds for…
The Venture Mindset [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:33
I had a great chat with Ilya Strebulaev recently. Ilya is a professor at Stanford GSB, author of 'The Venture Mindset' book, and knows a ton about venture capital and innovation. We talked about what makes a good VC vers…
Progress Metrics: The Secret Weapon [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:45
In my latest podcast episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Jeremiah Gardner, a seasoned innovator and author of "The Lean Brand." Jeremiah's journey from the startup world to implementing lean innovation practices…
From $0 to $9 Million per Week: The Up & Go Startup Story [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:17
I recently had Touradj Barman on my podcast to discuss his entrepreneurial journey and founding Up’n Go, a contactless payment solution for restaurants. Here are some of the key lessons I took away from our conversation:…
Cara Health [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:27
I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Anna Strubel, co-founder of Cara Health, an innovative startup aiming to improve the maternity experience for women and families. Cara Health began by offering in-person servi…
Your Startup Is Boring but [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:28
I had the pleasure of speaking with Adeo Ressi, a well-known figure in the world of entrepreneurship and venture capital. Adeo is the founder of Founder Institute. He has inspired many entrepreneurs. He also started VC L…