This week's additions focus on strategy, founder stories, and finance, with new digests from Founders, Noah Kagan, and Acquired. Highlights include Rockefeller bought 22 rivals in 40 days using a secret railroad cartel. Running many small experiments beats waiting for the perfect idea

Case studies

Podcast

How Rockefeller built a global oil monopoly through secret cartels

Founders December 8, 2017

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Case studies 10

Competitive analysis 8

Business models 7

• Rockefeller bought 22 rivals in 40 days using a secret railroad cartel.
• Drawbacks meant competitors' shipments made him richer, not poorer.
• He monopolised global kerosene refining before anyone knew his name.

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Niche selection

YouTube

How to find business ideas and build early career momentum

Noah Kagan December 6, 2017

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Niche selection 8

MVP & prototyping 8

Networking 6

• Running many small experiments beats waiting for the perfect idea
• Target fast-growing small companies — they're accessible and need you
• Geography and events beat job titles for building a real network

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Case studies

Podcast

Stitch Fix IPO: data-driven fashion startup goes public amid Amazon era

Acquired December 4, 2017

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Case studies 9

Bootstrapping 7

Business models 6

• Reached $1B revenue on just $42M raised — extreme capital efficiency.
• Profitable on the very first customer order, before any repeat purchases.
• IPO priced below range as cohort data revealed rapid post-year-one spending decay.

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