First Principles & Startups: The Pivotal Link for Success

Successful startups are inherently innovative — but why? According to entrepreneur Steve Blank, it’s because startups are repeatable, scalable business models.

Unfortunately, coming up with innovative ideas isn’t always easy. Founders tend to struggle to find the right problem to solve, let alone the solution to that problem. But exceptional founders are able to solve tough questions. They do this using first principles thinking, and you can, too.

Breaking it down: What is first principles thinking?

First principles thinking means breaking down your idea to its fundamental elements. This is where you can find out what is true. It’s a way to deconstruct your thoughts so you can reconstruct them in a more organized way.

First principles are like pure elements that can be built upon. For people who generate ideas and start businesses, it’s a way to prevent assumptions from taking center stage. First principles eliminate what you think you know, so you’re only focusing on what you know to be true.