Hello, Powerhouse!

We’re about to toss a tsunami of book recommendations your way. Our mission? To empower female tech founders like YOU, who are prepping to disrupt the world with their brilliance.

Are you ready to feed your mind with groundbreaking insights from the gurus of startups and investments? We thought so.

I mean, what’s more exciting than scaling a startup, right?

Let’s get started.

Growing & Scaling your Startup

Growing and scaling a startup can seem like climbing Mount Everest, but it doesn’t have to be. With the right insights & mentorship – even if it’s in the form of a book – your journey can become a whole lot easier. 

• “The Lean Startup” by Eric Ries: This is your crash course in building a business that lasts, honey. Lean methodologies? Iterative practices? You bet. And it’s served with a side of sustainability that will keep your startup standing tall through the storms.
  
• “The Startup Owner’s Manual” by Steve Blank and Bob Dorf: Ready to delve into the nitty-gritty of customer development, scaling that stunning business model of yours, and managing growth like a seasoned pro? This manual is the secret sauce that adds a whole lot of flavor to your startup journey.
• “Zero to One” by Peter Thiel: Think you’ve heard all there is about startup strategy? Well, prepare to have your mind blown. Peter Thiel serves up a feast of unconventional wisdom that will have you cooking up innovative startups that are ready to rule their industries.
• “Scaling Up: How a Few Companies Make It…and Why the Rest Don’t” by Verne Harnish: Scaling your business can be as tricky as walking a tightrope in stilettos. But with Verne Harnish guiding your way with practical frameworks and techniques, you’ll be strutting down that rope with grace and confidence. And those common pitfalls? You’ll be side-stepping them like a pro.
• “Reboot: Probably More Than You Ever Wanted to Know about Starting a Global Business” by Jodie Fox: This is no ordinary how-to book. It’s an all-access pass into Jodie Fox’s rollercoaster ride as a female founder who took her startup global. From the realities of scaling to the hard-earned lessons of startup survival, this book is a must-read for any woman ready to make her mark on the startup scene. Buckle up, darling, because with Jodie Fox, scaling isn’t just growth – it’s a thrilling adventure.

These classics are the fuel you need to ignite that rocket ship of yours. You’ll find yourself hustling with clarity and, dare I say, ease. You’ll be talking MVPs, pivoting, and scalability like a seasoned pro. 

Angel & Venture Capital Investing

Getting funded is the name of the game. And it’s not just about the dollars and cents. It’s about building relationships, understanding the VC lingo, and knowing your worth.

Knowing how investors think is crucial to landing that deal. It’s like learning the dance before you hit the dance floor. So let’s tango!

• “Venture Deals: Be Smarter Than Your Lawyer and Venture Capitalist” by Brad Feld and Jason Mendelson: This book is your VIP pass into the world of venture capital deals. Term sheets, negotiations, and the trickiest intricacies – it’s all laid bare. Think of it as your secret decoder ring for the VC world.
  
• “Angel: How to Invest in Technology Startups” by Jason Calacanis: Ever wondered how angels think? This book is the golden ticket, dishing out essentials on evaluating startups, conducting due diligence, and managing investment portfolios. Strap in for a deep dive into the angel’s perspective.
• “The Entrepreneurial Bible to Venture Capital” by Andrew Romans: Welcome to your Holy Grail of VC wisdom. From fundraising to portfolio management, it’s all in here, complete with insights from the seasoned players. It’s like being at a roundtable with the gods of venture capital.
• “The Art of Startup Fundraising: Pitching Investors, Negotiating the Deal, and Everything Else Entrepreneurs Need to Know” by Alejandro Cremades: Now this, my dear, is your masterclass in catching investors’ eyes. Learn the A to Z of fundraising strategies, navigate the investor landscape like a seasoned sailor, and optimize your chances of getting that sweet, sweet investment. 
• “Angel Investing: The Gust Guide to Making Money and Having Fun Investing in Startups” by David S. Rose: Ready for the lowdown on angel investing? This guide not only dishes out the fundamentals, risks, and rewards, but also gives you a fun spin on becoming a successful angel investor. Because who said money talks have to be boring, right?
• “Mastering the VC Game: A Venture Capital Insider Reveals How to Get from Start-Up to IPO on Your Terms” by Jeffrey Bussgang: This is your behind-the-scenes tour of the VC world, straight from an insider. Learn the tricks of the trade, and make the journey from start-up to IPO on your own terms. Yes, YOUR terms. Because you’re not just playing the game, you’re mastering it.
• “Founder vs Investor: The Honest Truth About Venture Capital from Startup to IPO” by Elizabeth Zalman and Jerry Neumann. This book delves deep into this intricate relationship. It’s a back-and-forth between a founder (Zalman) and an investor (Neumann), where they share their viewpoints on the challenges faced during startup development.

Remember, darling, knowledge is power. And these books? Pure gold. And we’re all about the gold, aren’t we?

Navigating the Startup World as a Female Founder

We need to talk about the pink elephant in the room. Yes, the startup world has its share of bias. But we’re here to SMASH that, right?

Strap in. This collection will fuel your journey, exposing challenges, offering solutions, and igniting change.

• “Dear Female Founder: 66 Letters of Advice from Women Entrepreneurs Who Have Made $1 Billion in Revenue” by Lu Li: Imagine a personal letter from a billion-dollar entrepreneur, stuffed with hard-earned wisdom and advice. Now imagine 66 of them. That’s right, this book is your personal stash of mentor notes. Consider it your dose of sisterly advice to supercharge your founder journey.
• “It’s About Damn Time: How to Turn Being Underestimated into Your Greatest Advantage” by Arlan Hamilton: You’ve been underestimated? Good. Arlan Hamilton shows you how to flip that script and turn it into your greatest strength. It’s a masterclass in flipping the bird to the naysayers and strutting forward with unshakeable confidence. It’s about damn time, right?
• “Tech Boss Lady: How to Start-up, Disrupt, and Thrive as a Female Founder” by Adriana Gascoigne: Here’s your front-row seat to disrupting the tech scene. From Adriana’s lessons as a female founder to her insights on thriving in the tech space, this book is more than just a guide – it’s a manifesto for every woman looking to assert herself in the startup world. So step on up, tech boss lady. The world is ready for your disruption, and this book is here to fan the flames.
• “Brotopia: Breaking Up the Boys’ Club of Silicon Valley” by Emily Chang: You’ve got a VIP ticket to examine the gender imbalances teetering in the tech world. Emily Chang lays out the blueprint to challenge the status quo and rally for change. It’s a battle cry to shatter that Silicon Valley glass ceiling.
• “Reset: My Fight for Inclusion and Lasting Change” by Ellen Pao: Dive into this intimate narrative that brings the battle against gender bias front and center. It’s the raw, unfiltered truth about fighting for equality in the tech industry from a woman who’s been on the front lines.

Remember, we’re not just playing the game, we’re rewriting the rules. These books? They’re your cheat sheets. Lean in (pun intended) and go out there and shake up the tech world, ladies!

Mindset & Self Care for Founders

Now, let’s talk about YOU. Yes, your mental health, your balance, and your peace of mind matter – a lot. This startup journey isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon. And the journey to success starts with the right mindset and some damn good self-care.

Self-care isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity. Consider these books your personal trainers for the mind and soul.

• “Option B: Facing Adversity, Building Resilience, and Finding Joy” by Sheryl Sandberg and Adam Grant: This gem is your road map to resilience. Navigate those pesky professional setbacks and personal adversities with grace and find your joy again. It’s about picking yourself up, dusting off, and strutting forward.
• “The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom” by Don Miguel Ruiz: This one is your ticket to liberating personal growth. Set yourself free from self-limiting beliefs and open up a world of effective communication. Ready to soar?
• “Presence: Bringing Your Boldest Self to Your Biggest Challenges” by Amy Cuddy: Here’s your masterclass in confidence and nonverbal communication. It’s about navigating those high-pressure situations like a swan – smooth on the surface, even if you’re paddling like hell underneath.
• “The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment” by Eckhart Tolle: Welcome to the world of mindfulness and presence, my dear. Amid the storm of entrepreneurial challenges, this is your sanctuary of inner peace and razor-sharp focus. It’s a taste of spiritual enlightenment in the bustling world of business.
• “Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle” by Emily Nagoski and Amelia Nagoski: Here’s your key to break the burnout cycle. Learn to recognize, manage, and bounce back from burnout while cultivating resilience and self-care. Because nothing says “I’m ready to conquer the world” like a founder who takes care of herself.
• “Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less” by Greg McKeown: This isn’t just a book, it’s a lifestyle change. Learn to cut the clutter, hone in on the essential, and make every moment, every decision, every step truly count. Because, less isn’t just more – it’s everything. Unleash the essentialist in you and watch as your entrepreneurial journey takes on a whole new depth.

In this whirlwind of founding, funding, scaling, and thriving, it’s vital to remember: You can’t pour from an empty cup. These books? They’re your fill. Go on, make waves, but don’t forget to float every once in a while.

You are more than your startup, and these books will help remind you of that. 

So there you have it. A reading list designed to empower, inspire, and guide you on your journey as a female tech founder. 

Remember, we believe in YOU. And the world needs your brilliance.

It’s YOUR time to ride the waves. Let’s make it happen, together.