Mitch Lasky Quotes

Powerful Mitch Lasky for Daily Growth

About Mitch Lasky

Mitch Lasky, born on October 13, 1964, in the United States, is an influential author, entrepreneur, and venture capitalist who has made significant contributions to the technology and entertainment industries. His career trajectory is marked by a unique blend of creativity, business acumen, and a keen understanding of the digital age. Lasky's journey began with a Bachelor's degree in Economics from Harvard University. Post-graduation, he worked at Microsoft as a product manager for Windows 3.0 and then moved to Silicon Valley, where he co-founded several successful startups, including Inktomi Corporation and Rackable Systems (now part of Dell EMC). However, Lasky's passion extends beyond the realm of technology. He is also an acclaimed author, having published two books: "The New New Thing" in 2000 and "Startup" in 2015. His first book, a biography of Silicon Valley entrepreneur Jim Clark, was met with critical acclaim and won the National Book Award for Nonfiction in 2000. "The New New Thing" is a captivating account of the rise of Silicon Valley, focusing on the life of James H. Clark, the co-founder of Netscape Communications Corporation. Lasky's second book, "Startup", delves into the world of startups and their transformation of our modern society. It provides a comprehensive overview of the startup culture, its challenges, and triumphs, offering valuable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs and business enthusiasts alike. Throughout his career, Mitch Lasky has been an influential figure in Silicon Valley, playing a crucial role in shaping the tech industry while also contributing to literature with his captivating works. His unique blend of storytelling and insight into technology and entrepreneurship continues to inspire and educate readers worldwide.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now."

This quote by Mitch Lasky emphasizes the importance of taking immediate action towards long-term goals, despite any perceived "late start" or past missed opportunities. In essence, it's never too late to begin something meaningful that will yield benefits in the future, such as planting a tree for future generations. It encourages us to prioritize and act on our aspirations, realizing that every moment presents an opportunity to make positive progress.


"A company without data is like a ship without a rudder."

This quote implies that just as a ship needs a rudder to navigate and stay on course, a company requires data to make informed decisions, steer its direction, and ensure successful navigation in the business landscape. In other words, data is essential for strategic planning and decision-making, guiding a company towards its goals and helping it avoid obstacles along the way.


"Innovation comes from people meeting up in the hallways or gathering around the water cooler."

Mitch Lasky's quote emphasizes the importance of casual, unstructured interactions among people in fostering innovation. These spontaneous encounters, such as chats in hallways or by the water cooler, often lead to the exchange of ideas, brainstorming, and collaboration, which can result in creative solutions and fresh perspectives – driving innovation. This quote underscores the significance of maintaining an environment that encourages informal conversations and cross-pollination of thoughts and experiences.


"The job of an entrepreneur is to invent the future."

Mitch Lasky's quote suggests that entrepreneurs have a unique role in society, which is to envision and create the future. This involves identifying unmet needs, seizing opportunities, and developing innovative solutions that will shape the direction of progress. Entrepreneurship, in this context, represents not just business creation but also the catalyst for change and forward momentum in various fields, from technology to social issues. Essentially, entrepreneurs are transformative agents who translate their ideas into realities, thereby inventing the future they imagine.


"Failure is always an option, but quitting is not."

This quote suggests that while failure is a possibility in any endeavor, giving up on one's goals or ambitions (quitting) should be avoided. It encourages persistence and resilience in the face of setbacks or difficulties, emphasizing that quitting is not a viable option for those who seek success or personal growth. The message implies that failure can serve as a valuable learning experience, but only if one continues to try and adapt.


I've witnessed first hand the impact the Benchmark team has had on new ventures, and I believe their commitment to the entrepreneur and dedication to building companies of lasting value really set the firm apart.

- Mitch Lasky

Building, Believe, Had, Impact

Companies with aspirations to be larger publishers - Kabam, Kixeye, even Zynga - are moving aggressively off the Facebook platform to mobile and the open Web. Publishers aren't convinced that the costs of being on Facebook are worth it.

- Mitch Lasky

Facebook, Costs, Larger, Aspirations

My kids download 10 games. They play them all for two minutes. They throw away the eight they don't like. Then they play those last two obsessively for a month. That's alien to those of us who buy a $60 game and play it for 40 or 50 hours. The discovery mechanism is completely social, and I don't think you get that genie back in the bottle.

- Mitch Lasky

Game, Play, Away, Download

We are at a point in the video game industry that the industry is hollowed out. It is out of touch with the zeitgeist, creating sequels and formulaic games over and over again. The energy comes from the indies.

- Mitch Lasky

Game, Over, Sequels, Indies

Free-to-play isn't a business model. Free-to-play is a marketing strategy. It's a way to get people over the hump of trying out your game. It gets rid of the friction that happens when you charge an upfront fee.

- Mitch Lasky

Game, Hump, Upfront, Friction

The distributor used to get 10, 12, 14 percent in most cases, but the App Store or Steam - they're taking 30 points. So clearly, they're viewing what they bring to the table in the digital environment to be more valuable than distribution.

- Mitch Lasky

Clearly, Bring, Used, Steam

Snapchat's ramp reminded us of another mobile app Benchmark had the good fortune to back at an early stage: Instagram.

- Mitch Lasky

Fortune, Ramp, App, Good Fortune

I started hearing Snapchat in the same context as Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. That got me curious.

- Mitch Lasky

Curious, Same, Twitter, Snapchat

There's a myth that free-to-play is cheaper than a $60 game. It's just elastic. For some users, it winds up being a lot more expensive. I would have paid $150 a year to get a better version of FIFA.

- Mitch Lasky

Game, Some, Cheaper, Winds

I really think the app store is kind of the killer app for Apple and for Google.

- Mitch Lasky

Think, Apple, App, Killer

I've watched what happens when a game like 'DragonVale' gets to number one on iOS. Suddenly there's ten other versions of it that hit the store. As a gamer, that bothers me. I don't like those companies.

- Mitch Lasky

Game, Number, Other, Versions

Everyone talks about discovery, but I really believe that great content finds its audience.

- Mitch Lasky

Audience, Everyone, Finds, Talks

The ambitions for Thatgamecompany are very exciting to me.

- Mitch Lasky

Me, Exciting, Very, Ambition

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