How to start a tech startup, lesson by lesson

Quick answer

This playlist works like a free startup course, led by Y Combinator's Startup School and Stanford GSB. It moves from finding an idea and a co-founder to building an MVP, getting first customers, pricing and fundraising, then founder stories. Press Play all on repeat to work through it, and A–B loop the hardest explanations.

Play all on repeat

Videos in this playlist

  1. 1Should You Start A Startup? | Startup SchoolShould You Start A Startup? | Startup SchoolY CombinatorPlay from here Loop
  2. 2How to Get and Evaluate Startup Ideas | Startup SchoolHow to Get and Evaluate Startup Ideas | Startup SchoolY CombinatorPlay from here Loop
  3. 3Pick One Idea and Go DeepPick One Idea and Go DeepY CombinatorPlay from here Loop
  4. 4Considering a Startup?Considering a Startup?Stanford Graduate School of BusinessPlay from here Loop
  5. 5Starting A Company? The Key Terms You Should Know | Startup SchoolStarting A Company? The Key Terms You Should Know | Startup SchoolY CombinatorPlay from here Loop
  6. 6How To Find A Co-Founder | Startup SchoolHow To Find A Co-Founder | Startup SchoolY CombinatorPlay from here Loop
  7. 7Keys To Successful Co-Founder Relationships | Startup SchoolKeys To Successful Co-Founder Relationships | Startup SchoolY CombinatorPlay from here Loop
  8. 8Co-Founder Equity Mistakes to Avoid | Startup SchoolCo-Founder Equity Mistakes to Avoid | Startup SchoolY CombinatorPlay from here Loop
  9. 960 Startup Founders Share How They Met Their Co-Founder60 Startup Founders Share How They Met Their Co-FounderY CombinatorPlay from here Loop
  10. 10How To Talk To Users | Startup SchoolHow To Talk To Users | Startup SchoolY CombinatorPlay from here Loop
  11. 11How to Build An MVP | Startup SchoolHow to Build An MVP | Startup SchoolY CombinatorPlay from here Loop
  12. 12Tips For Technical Startup Founders | Startup SchoolTips For Technical Startup Founders | Startup SchoolY CombinatorPlay from here Loop
  13. 13The Best Way To Launch Your Startup | Startup SchoolThe Best Way To Launch Your Startup | Startup SchoolY CombinatorPlay from here Loop
  14. 14How to Get Your First Customers | Startup SchoolHow to Get Your First Customers | Startup SchoolY CombinatorPlay from here Loop
  15. 15How to Get Your First 10 CustomersHow to Get Your First 10 CustomersY CombinatorPlay from here Loop
  16. 1650 Founders Share How They Got Their First Customers50 Founders Share How They Got Their First CustomersY CombinatorPlay from here Loop
  17. 17How To Convert Customers With Cold Emails | Startup SchoolHow To Convert Customers With Cold Emails | Startup SchoolY CombinatorPlay from here Loop
  18. 18The Sales Playbook For Founders | Startup SchoolThe Sales Playbook For Founders | Startup SchoolY CombinatorPlay from here Loop
  19. 19Enterprise Sales | Startup SchoolEnterprise Sales | Startup SchoolY CombinatorPlay from here Loop
  20. 20Startup Business Models and Pricing | Startup SchoolStartup Business Models and Pricing | Startup SchoolY CombinatorPlay from here Loop
  21. 21How To Price For B2B | Startup SchoolHow To Price For B2B | Startup SchoolY CombinatorPlay from here Loop
  22. 22Consumer Startup Metrics | Startup SchoolConsumer Startup Metrics | Startup SchoolY CombinatorPlay from here Loop
  23. 23B2B Startup Metrics | Startup SchoolB2B Startup Metrics | Startup SchoolY CombinatorPlay from here Loop
  24. 24Setting KPIs and Goals | Startup SchoolSetting KPIs and Goals | Startup SchoolY CombinatorPlay from here Loop
  25. 25How To Keep Your Users | Startup SchoolHow To Keep Your Users | Startup SchoolY CombinatorPlay from here Loop
  26. 26How Startup Fundraising Works | Startup SchoolHow Startup Fundraising Works | Startup SchoolY CombinatorPlay from here Loop
  27. 27Quick Study: How Venture Capitalists Make DecisionsQuick Study: How Venture Capitalists Make DecisionsStanford Graduate School of BusinessPlay from here Loop
  28. 28The Startup Playbook for Hiring Your First Engineers and AEsThe Startup Playbook for Hiring Your First Engineers and AEsY CombinatorPlay from here Loop
  29. 29Start-Up Compensation and HiringStart-Up Compensation and HiringStanford Graduate School of BusinessPlay from here Loop
  30. 30How to Apply And Succeed at Y Combinator | Startup SchoolHow to Apply And Succeed at Y Combinator | Startup SchoolY CombinatorPlay from here Loop
  31. 31From Stanford to Latin America: Building Tech StartupsFrom Stanford to Latin America: Building Tech StartupsStanford Graduate School of BusinessPlay from here Loop
  32. 32YouTube Co-Founder Steve Chen on Innovation, Startups, and Lessons LearnedYouTube Co-Founder Steve Chen on Innovation, Startups, and Lessons LearnedStanford Graduate School of BusinessPlay from here Loop
  33. 33How David Lieb Turned a Failing Startup Into Google Photos | BackstoryHow David Lieb Turned a Failing Startup Into Google Photos | BackstoryY CombinatorPlay from here Loop
  34. 34Tom Blomfield: How I Created Two Billion-Dollar Fintech StartupsTom Blomfield: How I Created Two Billion-Dollar Fintech StartupsY CombinatorPlay from here Loop
  35. 35DoorDash's Application Video for YC S13DoorDash's Application Video for YC S13Y CombinatorPlay from here Loop
  36. 36DoorDash at YC Summer 2013 Demo DayDoorDash at YC Summer 2013 Demo DayY CombinatorPlay from here Loop

What is a tech startup and how does it make money?

A startup is a young company built to grow fast, usually around software. Most earn money from subscriptions, transaction fees, advertising or selling to other businesses. Many are funded by investors in exchange for shares, so founders also need to understand equity, dilution and how fundraising works before they take money.

How do I study Startup School lectures with RepeatWatch?

Watch a lecture once at normal speed, then replay it at 0.75× to take notes. Save the chapters you return to on keys 1–9, and drag an A–B loop around one worked example, such as a pricing table or a metrics chart, until you can explain it yourself.

Frequently asked questions

Where should a first-time founder start?

Start with "Should You Start A Startup?" and "How to Get and Evaluate Startup Ideas", then "How To Talk To Users" and "How to Build An MVP". Leave fundraising and metrics until you have something people use, since the advice depends on that.

Does this advice apply outside Silicon Valley?

The basics of talking to users, building small and charging early travel well. Company law, share structures, taxes and investor norms differ by country, so check local regulations and speak to a local accountant or lawyer before incorporating or raising money.

Is this legal, tax or financial advice?

No. These videos are educational and come from the channels that published them. They are not legal, tax or financial advice for your situation. Use them to learn the ideas, then get professional advice before signing agreements, issuing shares or taking investment.