The Rise

The Rise

I love reading analyses that dive deep into "The Rise of Company X".

My favorite ones approach companies from the perspective of an analyst and go beyond linear narrative to look at early go to market and product decisions, strategic tradeoffs, company culture, competitive dynamics, and missteps. The best ones explain what unique early insights led to innovation and eventually market power. It is also great when the analysts take a position on the future of the company — what threats to they face and what needs to be done from here to maintain, expand, or regain competitive advantage?

I have written a couple pieces of my own that sort of fall into this genre...

Below are a bunch I've enjoyed.

If you have any others I should read and include, let me know here on Twitter! And if you want updates when I add new companies to this list or publish a new compilation, enter your email below.

Companies

Essays, Interviews, and Articles

🎧 If you prefer audio, the Acquired Podcast is an incredible source. I've linked a few of my favorites and those recommended on Twitter below but the whole list is here and I am looking forward to going back through and listening to ones I missed in the past.

Other recommendations:

Another podcast that does a great job of analyzing the rise of important companies — in this case Chinese companies — is TechBuzz China, hosted by Rui Ma and Ying Lu. A few favorites:

They have done deep dives into pretty much every important Chinese tech company and Chinese tech trend. Highly, highly recommend.

Books

One Person Companies

One of areas I spend a lot of time trying to learn about and understand is the rise of the One Person Company. Quick thoughts on that:

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Over the next decade, new platforms and infrastructure providers will emerge to support the tens of millions of individuals capable of building successful One Person Companies along with the billions of consumers and businesses that will support them. More generally, the rise of the One Person Companies will inject dynamism into the broader economy and will play a role in driving more inclusive innovation.

The best writer on One Person Companies — specifically media companies — is Dan Runcie from Trapital. A couple of his best:

Investment Firms

Essays, Interviews, and Articles

Books

  • The Partnership: The Making of Goldman Sachs (I wrote something about Goldman as well)

Disruptive Research Labs

Essays, Interviews, and Articles

Audio and Video

Books

Sports and Miscellanea