The best consumer technology companies have scaled not to technology, but to the humanity that makes their technology possible. What blitzscaling requires most is an explicit theory of human nature. However, at its core, technology is simply the vehicle. Given the intersections with artificial intelligence, automation, and other mass technological evolutions, it is easy to confuse blitzscaling with technology excellence. The willingness to embrace the irrational, to go against common sense and follow principles that are deeply counter-intuitive, makes it unique. In deciding whether to blitzscale, ask yourself – is there a huge market? Is there good product market fit? Are there characteristics of a mature business? What gives blitzscalers an edge?īlitzscaling is profoundly human. Rather, it is a strategic response to competition, or to the need to develop a particular product within a market. Importantly, blitzscaling itself is not the goal.

The compact definition – prioritising speed over efficiency in an environment of uncertainty. This is especially relevant in today’s hyper-connected world.

For those who are less familiar with the concept, Reid explains this on Medium, “ 7 Counterintuitive Rules for Growing Your Business Super-Fast”. In this edition of GIC Meets, Reid shares more about “blitzscaling”, the ultra-rapid growth by start-ups. He is also the host of the podcast, Masters of Scale. Reid is the co-author of Blitzscaling and two New York Times best-selling books: The Start-up of You and The Alliance. Ranging from LinkedIn to PayPal, from Airbnb to Convoy to Facebook, he invests in businesses with network effects and collaborates on building their product ecosystems.

He possesses a unique understanding of consumer behavior and the dynamics of viral businesses, as well as deep experience in driving companies from the earliest stages through periods of explosive, “blitzscale” growth. An accomplished entrepreneur, executive, and investor, Reid Hoffman (Partner, Greylock Partners and Co-Founder, LinkedIn – full bio here) has played an integral role in building many of today’s leading consumer technology businesses, including LinkedIn and PayPal.

Reid hoffman blitzscaling