Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Get started
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
Listen to the Intro
The Upstarts summary
How Uber, Airbnb and the Killer Companies of the New Silicon Valley are Changing the World
12 mins
Brief summary
The Upstarts by Brad Stone is a business book that tells the stories of Airbnb and Uber. It provides insights into how they disrupted the market and tackled challenges to become the giants they are today.
Table of Contents
The Upstarts
Summary of 5 key ideas
Audio & text in the Blinkist app
Key idea 1 of 5
The term “upstart” is used for mega start-ups like Airbnb and Uber.
Companies like Airbnb and Uber that have grown rapidly to become phenomenally successful are hardly start-ups anymore. They’ve shown they like to tussle with the big boys, and they’ve paid scant respect to the usual ways of doing business. We can call such companies upstarts.
Both Airbnb and Uber are renowned all over the world and business is booming. And that’s despite the fact that unlike many other major companies, they don’t actually have any physical assets.
Airbnb might at first glance appear to act like the world's largest hotel company. Except, of course, it doesn’t own the rooms that get rented out.
Equally, we think of Uber as the world’s largest car service. But it doesn’t even have its own fleet.
In part, the freedom granted by this lack of assets helps explain how these companies have been able to expand so far and so quickly. In the world of tech, speed and flexibility are crucial to success.
We also shouldn't underestimate just how massive these businesses are. They’re what are known as unicorns, start-up giants worth more than a billion dollars.
In 2016, Airbnb was valued at $30 billion, and Uber at $68 billion.
Airbnb’s meteoric rise was largely assisted by venture capital firm Sequoia Capital, one of its first big investors. In turn, Sequoia Capital has reaped huge returns. In fact, the amounts it earns from similar investments in Google and WhatsApp are chickenfeed in comparison.
But of course, to become this successful requires a lot of effort and sometimes a rather ruthless approach to business.
Want to see all full key ideas from The Upstarts?
Key ideas in The Upstarts
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
What is The Upstarts about?
The Upstarts (2017) is about the new generation of start-ups in tech, in particular, Airbnb and Uber, and the impact they’ve had on the world. It takes a deep look at the people behind the companies and how they got to where they are today, as well as where they might go from here.
The Upstarts Review
The Upstarts (2017) delves into the rise of two groundbreaking companies, Uber and Airbnb, and the challenges they faced in disrupting traditional industries. Here's why this book is worth picking up:
- With in-depth research and interviews, it uncovers the untold stories behind these revolutionary startups, offering a fascinating glimpse into the world of tech entrepreneurship.
- It explores the ethical and legal implications of these disruptors, provoking thought and raising important questions about the future of our economy and society.
- Through compelling storytelling and vivid descriptions, the book brings to life the personalities, conflicts, and triumphs of the individuals behind these companies, making it a truly captivating read.
Best quote from The Upstarts
Its up to us to hold them to their promises . . . They are the new architects of the twenty-first century, every bit as powerful as political leaders.
—Brad Stone
Who should read The Upstarts?
- Entrepreneurs
- Business students
- Anyone interested in the new tech economy
Categories with The Upstarts
Book summaries like The Upstarts
People ❤️ Blinkist
Sven O.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Jonathan A.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
People also liked these summaries
4.7 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
37 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth
The Upstarts FAQs
What is the main message of The Upstarts?
The Upstarts explores the rise of Uber and Airbnb, highlighting the importance of innovation and disruption in the business world.
How long does it take to read The Upstarts?
The reading time for The Upstarts varies depending on the reader, but it typically takes several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is The Upstarts a good book? Is it worth reading?
The Upstarts is a fascinating read about the rise of two tech giants. It offers valuable insights into the world of startups and the sharing economy.
Who is the author of The Upstarts?
The author of The Upstarts is Brad Stone.
What to read after The Upstarts?
If you're wondering what to read next after The Upstarts, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- The Airbnb Story by Leigh Gallagher
- 12 Rules For Life by Jordan B. Peterson
- Building Your Money Machine with ChatGPT by Larry Wheeler
- The Epic of Gilgamesh by Anonymous
- Masters of Uncertainty by Rich Diviney
- Pivot to the Future by Omar Abbosh
- Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
- Meaningful by Bernadette Jiwa
- The Anarchy by William Dalrymple
- Think Like a Rocket Scientist by Ozan Varol