recommend

起業のファイナンスベンチャーにとって一番大切なこと

磯崎哲也

It is a classic, but a good book to read before raising capital because capital policy cannot be unwound once it is underway. It covers all aspects of venture financing, from how to create a business plan and capital policy, to the concept of corporate value, negotiating contracts with investors, and how preferred stock works! (Araki)

Zero to IPO: Over $1 Trillion of Actionable Advice from the World's Most Successful Entrepreneurs

Frederic Kerrest

I had the privilege of writing the foreword for this book. From the moment a startup is launched until it goes public, the management challenges it faces change constantly. This book offers a practitioner's perspective, realistically depicting every possible issue, from preventing a "wife block" to the IPO roadshow. The importance of accomplishing goals despite opposition from others is emphasized, highlighting the often-overlooked significance of mentality and spirit. The book also features comments from other entrepreneurs and investors, reinforcing the importance of joining such a community of predecessors and receiving their advice. (Asakura)

BE 2.0 (Beyond Entrepreneurship 2.0): Turning Your Business into an Enduring Great Company

Jim Collins

This is a well-known series, but this particular book meticulously explains what to keep in mind when building a great company from scratch, rather than focusing on existing companies. It focuses on the foundational ideas and methodologies that form the core of a company, providing practical content. (Asakura)

Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future

Peter Thiel, Blake Masters

While it may seem unnecessary to mention such a well-known book, I felt compelled to do so due to its exceptional quality. Peter Thiel's teachings, such as "Don't compete. Dominate." and "Find the hidden truths nobody else knows," may appear contrary to common sense, yet they are remarkably faithful to economic principles. (Araki)

7 Powers: The Foundations of Business Strategy

Hamilton Helmer

A book that explains the concept of "MOAT," a term often discussed among startup professionals. While it covers common topics like "economies of scale" and "switching costs," it categorizes them into seven types, making it a practical framework. It advocates for strategies leveraging the asymmetry of competition, akin to the so-called "Innovator's Dilemma," which is contrarian yet fitting for startups. Personally, I appreciate its startup-like approach. If possible, I recommend reading the original text. (Araki)

The Cold Start Problem: How to Start and Scale Network Effects

Andrew Chen

A deeply insightful book that delves into the keyword "network effect," familiar to all startup stakeholders, while referencing numerous examples like Instagram and LinkedIn. Despite initially seeming focused on consumer-facing businesses, it offers various insights applicable to B2B ventures as well. The author's profound insights left me flagging almost every page. (Araki)

The Outsiders: Eight Unconventional CEOs and Their Radically Rational Blueprint for Success

William Thorndike

This book quantitatively identifies outstanding CEOs and details how each unique leader has increased their company's value. The unconventional leaders depicted here exemplify what it means to be "CEOs with an investor's perspective." (Asakura)

How to Avoid a Climate Disaster: The Solutions We Have and the Breakthroughs We Need

Bill Gates

This renowned masterpiece, while logically explaining the issue of climate change with a quantitative approach, also provides a clear understanding of how investors perceive the Climate tech sector. (Nakayama)

クライメートテック　新しい巨大経済圏のメカニズム

宮脇良二

Based on Bill Gates' "How to Avoid a Climate Disaster: The Solutions We Have and the Breakthroughs We Need," this practical book offers a comprehensive view of the Climate tech sector, featuring numerous concrete examples of startups. (Nakayama)

AI 2041　人工知能が変える20年後の未来

カイフー・リー（李開復），チェン・チウファン（陳楸帆）

A work by a leading authority on AI in China, predicting how artificial intelligence will transform the world by 2041, presented in a science fiction style. Although written before the advent of ChatGPT and thus slightly dated, it sparks the imagination and is an engaging read. (Araki)