Hi,

The Founders Book is a collection of true stories and first hand experiences contributed by high-tech startup founders.

The idea for the book came when Gili and I were having lunch in Herzelia on Jan. 2008, and Gili said something like  you had so many “stories” at Qlusters you should write a book. So we started working on the book.

The purpose of the book is to help other founders learn from each others’ stories, have fun reading stories that are sometimes almost unreal, avoid potential pitfalls that others fell into, and share stories for the benefits of new founders and founders to be.

The stories cover different topics of starting and running a company including 

• Starting your company
• Your business partners – there will be problems
• It’s not just about technology – about setting new direction and focus
• To VC or not to VC – the risk equation
• Selling to VCs
• The VC path – know the game
• Working with VCs
• Bootstrapping – great alternative where possible
• Working with the board – about corporate governance
• Your personal life and your health – what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger
• Getting an experienced CEO – where gray hair may just be better golfing skills
• Hiring hot shot executives
• Leading your people – through hell and high water
• Know your limitations – you are not superman, even if you come close
• Flip flops in the air – everything is possible, have faith make it happen - about getting out of impossible situations
• Hitting the Big one and Exit strategies
• Enjoying the ride – it is fun, if you don’t think so, find something else to do

If you are a founder and want to contribute stories please email me at ofer@thefoundersbook.com and I will send you user and password to access the site. 

Please specify if you want it to be anonymous or not.

If you are a founder and just want to read stories (and potentially comment) please email me as well.

Also feel free to send any comments, requests or feedback.

Thanks,

Ofer Shoshan, ofer@thefoundersbook.com

Gili Raanan, gili@thefoundersbook.com