robin's banner
robin's profile picture

robin

@zebird021,190 subscribers

stealth consumer bio | prev founding team @a16z @speedrun | writer of the bird’s nest, https://t.co/3fgQ6avUsx

Videos

zebird0's profile picture

🚨 New a16z request for startups: "delightful utility" apps 🚨 Have you spun the discount wheel while shopping on Temu? Or grown emotionally attached to the Duolingo owl? Maybe you cycle harder on Peloton when you see your position on the leaderboard drop or log back into Snapchat just for your streak. The bar to create the next breakout hit is now higher because we've satiated many consumer needs. New apps need to not only provide core utility for users, but wrap that value in an experience that's genuinely engaging and delightful. A few illustrative ideas: - Visual-first no-code platforms that make AI prompting intuitive and rewarding - AI matchmakers (for dating/hiring/groups) with distinct personalities that users bond with - Social credit card games with real stakes and competition - IP-driven AI companions that offer both entertainment and emotional support When the competition for attention is fierce, sometimes the moat is engagement itself—delivering value, but in a way that's more captivating than competitors. We're looking for: - Fast time to delight: Games put you immediately in the action. How quickly can you deliver the magic moment to users? What subsequent moments keep them coming back? - Founders with viral instincts. Driving attention isn't random—it's a repeatable skill set. In today's competitive landscape, founders need to naturally generate buzz and drive attention to themselves. - Monetization that scales with engagement. The best apps offer spending opportunities proportional to user investment. Simple subscriptions create a step-function demand curve, think like a game and monetize discretely along the entire curve. - Genuine stickiness. High retention across both paid and free users signals true product-market resonance. This can't be faked—it proves your core loop works. If you're building in this space, apply to speedrun. We want to back founders who are creating delightful experiences and take fun seriously.

robin

134,178 görüntüleme • 1 yıl önce

Daha fazla içerik yok.