Each year, thousands of founders, investors, and builders read our essays. You’re the front lines of the early-stage startup world. And this year, we saw a clear pattern in our data.
There were five tactical stories you kept coming back to. There was a clear theme: the way we build and scale companies has completely changed.
Here are the top building tactics 2025, according to you.
1. The Old Go-To-Market Playbook is Dead
Traditional channels are saturated. We still see companies growing faster than ever.
These are the tactics that worked this year: The Upgraded Go-to-Market Playbook
2. AI is Now an Employee
AI is fusing the software and the labor markets. This year, we began to see AI agents truly acting as employees.
Here’s where we started, and where we’re going: The Five Stages of AI Agent Evolution
3. The Three Person Unicorn is Real
In 2023, we predicted AI would make it possible to build a unicorn with just 3 people. This year, we saw the rise of “tiny teams” or as we call them “rockets” – companies growing rapidly with low headcount.
We updated this essay to reflect this new reality: The Three Person Unicorn Startup – UPDATED 2025
4. Defensibility is Still Key to Winning Long-Term
Today, anyone can build a product in a weekend. But only some companies will build something enduring.
These are the leading indicators of that mindset: How AI Companies Build Real Defensibility
5. Network Effects Are More Relevant Than Ever
We’ve been updating our Network Effects Bible and Manual for years. But this year, more of you read these pieces than ever before.
If you want to go deeper, try the Network Effects Masterclass.
As Founders ourselves, we respect your time. That’s why we built BriefLink, a new software tool that minimizes the upfront time of getting the VC meeting. Simply tell us about your company in 9 easy questions, and you’ll hear from us if it’s a fit.
