Startups in 13 Sentences — What Arizona Founders Can Actually Use

By Josue Romero , Co-Founder of Silicon Oasis Paul Graham’s“Startups in 13 Sentences” might be one of the most underrated startup essays out there. It reads like a cheat sheet — clear, fast, no fluff. Just the kind of energy we’re trying to build in Arizona.

Here’s what stood out to me, especially for founders building in Silicon Oasis: 1. Launch fast , even if it’s ugly The longer you wait, the more likely you’ll build the wrong thing.I’ve seen founders spend a year perfecting something only to realize no one wanted it. Shipping early gives you leverage: feedback, momentum, and clarity. Make it live, then make it better.

2. Make a small group really love you This is probably the most important sentence in the whole essay. Don’t chase scale too early. Find 10 customers who would be pissed if you disappeared. You’ll get loyalty, word of mouth, and insights — all way more useful than vanity metrics.

3. Stay lean . Stay alive . Cash is oxygen. Every dollar you don’t spend gives you more time to figure things out. Fundraising is useful, but it won’t save you if you’re solving the wrong problem or building something bloated. Stay scrappy. Build what matters. There’s more in the essay, but these three hit hardest for where we are right now — building a real ecosystem in Arizona, from the ground up. Less talk, more action. Less polish, more progress. 👋 Want to see more founder content like this?

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