They Start Small<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nEntrepreneurs look at massive companies and think there is no way they can grow to that size, but that\u2019s a misconception. See, those goliaths started out as small as can be– as small as a garage, which is the case of Jeff Bezos\u2019 company, Amazon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Amazon also started out with one focus, being an online bookstore. Now, they offer everything from streaming services to just about any product you can think of.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Starting small doesn\u2019t mean just starting in a small space. It means that they have a single focus, one thing they can do better than anyone else in the game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That\u2019s how successful tech startups grow. Because they have a specific vision that makes them stand out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sure, once the companies have survived the initial phase and can afford to grow, diversifying their service is highly advisable, which is something we\u2019ll come back to in a minute. But what\u2019s important is they make sure they don\u2019t stretch themselves too thin, especially in the beginning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Take one of Y Combinator\u2019s most successful companies, Dropbox. What does Dropbox do? It\u2019s known for its ability to help people upload and share files. Similarly, Snapchat\u2019s focus is allowing users to share photos and videos that have a time limit. So, the greatest startups begin with a singular, simple product or service that then expands as users start demanding more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They Build A Platform<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThis one is a little complicated, but one thing that a lot of successful tech startups have in common is they built their own platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In this modern-day and age, where the internet has utterly changed how we do business, the most successful companies are the ones that are able to sell more than just a product.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But what exactly is a platform? In a nutshell, it\u2019s a business model. A place where consumers and producers can interact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Think about the biggest tech giants you can think of– Facebook, Google, Amazon– even Tesla\u2019s website where you can design your own Tesla car.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Most of these names, when you think of them, you think of their platform, not of the products they sell on that platform. There is nothing wrong with companies looking to sell their products, but these tech giants have proven that it\u2019s way more profitable to establish a platform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even traditional businesses have jumped on this strategy, not just Tesla. GM and Ford built their own platforms. Nike did as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The core identity of your business is your own, but embracing technology and using it to your advantage to build innovative platforms is money in your pocket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n