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Nikita Bier is co-founder of TBH (sold to Meta for more than $30 million) and Gas (sold to Discord for millions more), and has helped more apps hit #1 in the app stores than any human alive. He currently spends his time advising founders on viral growth strategies, product UX, and product development. He's also invested in or advised some of the most successful consumer tech companies out there, including Flo Health Inc., Locket Labs, Citizen, BeReal., Wealthsimple, and more. In our conversation, Nikita shares: 🔸 Strategies for building viral consumer apps 🔸 Why big companies can’t launch hit social apps  🔸 Inside the human trafficking hoax at Gas 🔸 Why teens are such a great audience 🔸 His experience working as a PM at Facebook 🔸 The inside story of how TBH and Gas achieved explosive growth 🔸 Much more Listen now 👇 - YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gGMXBvz4 - Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gb2kCn7p - Apple: https://lnkd.in/g-dEvi9h Some key takeaways: 1. There are only a few core reasons why people download apps, and they each link back to basic human motivations: a. Finding a mate (e.g. Tinder) b. Making or saving money (e.g. Robinhood) c. Unplugging from reality (e.g. Netflix) 2. Optimize for the aha moment in seconds. With attention spans shrinking, it’s critical to demonstrate your core value to users within the first three seconds of using an app. This often requires ruthlessly cutting features and being creative with available APIs and mechanisms. 3. The number of invitations sent per user drops 20% for every additional year of age from 13 to 18. To maximize growth, focus on demographics with high urgency and frequent interactions. With their high social communication rate, teens are particularly valuable for network-effect products. In contrast, targeting adults often requires heavy investment in advertising to acquire users. 4. If you’re looking for a startup idea, look for latent demand: Look for existing user behaviors that are being done in a very inefficient way. If people are using a clunky method to achieve a goal, it signals an opportunity to create a more effective and user-friendly product. 5. It’s extremely difficult for large tech companies to launch hit social apps. The best apps are launched based on hunches about basic human motivations, not the kind of clear market signals and evidence that big companies require before taking new bets. Big companies also require too much process for them to keep up with the pace of iteration required to succeed. It takes them 12-24 months to respond to competitive threats. 6. Creating durable consumer social products is extremely difficult. Nikita views it as a “black swan event” that happens maybe once a decade. While you can become skilled at making apps go viral, creating lasting engagement is much more challenging and involves a lot of luck.

Everyone is talking about stablecoins. But they’re not all built the same — issuers, business models, and strategies can differ widely. Here’s an overview. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗲𝗿𝘀 - Specialized fintechs / crypto-native firms → e.g. Tether, Circle, Paxos. These dominate today, building their business model around issuance and reserve management. - Payment companies & platforms → e.g. PayPal (PYUSD). They issue stablecoins as an extension of their ecosystem to drive payments, retention, and new financial services. - Banks → from global banks like JPMorgan (JPM Coin) to regional or central banks exploring tokenized deposits or settlement coins. Banks may issue directly for wholesale settlement or customer-facing stablecoins. - Big Tech / platforms → e.g. Meta’s abandoned Diem project. Tech platforms see stablecoins as a way to lock users into closed ecosystems. - Central Banks (CBDCs) → officially distinct from stablecoins, but they share the core principle of fiat-backed digital tokens issued and redeemed 1:1. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗹𝘀 1. Direct issuance → The issuer mints (creates) and redeems (removes from circulation) coins itself, fully controlling reserves. Customers deposit fiat (e.g. USD), the issuer mints stablecoins, and the reserves are invested in highly liquid, low-risk assets (US Treasuries, repos, deposits at systemically important banks). Example: Tether (USDT) and Circle (USDC). Revenue model: Issuers earn interest on reserves. In 2024, Circle distributed ~60% of that income to partners like Coinbase, while Tether retains it all. 2. White-label issuance → The issuer mints on behalf of a partner, who owns the distribution relationship. The economics are often flipped: most reserve income goes to the partner, while the issuer charges a management fee. Example: Paxos, issuing PayPal’s PYUSD and Global Dollar (USDG) for partners like Robinhood and Kraken. Both models rely on the same reserve mechanics — but differ in who owns the customer relationship and who captures the economics. 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀 - Distribution is key. Issuance alone doesn’t drive adoption — that’s why Circle shares reserve income with Coinbase and Paxos passes most to PayPal. - Tokenization is the growth driver. From powering crypto and xborder payments today, stablecoins can become the natural settlement layer for tokenized assets - equities, bonds, even mortgages. - From reserves to transactions. Revenues could shift from interest on reserves to transaction fees, moving stablecoins closer to payments than balance-sheet plays. - Banks + fintechs converge. As banks issue tokens, the line between stablecoins and tokenized deposits will blur — with regulation pushing them together. - Diverging strategies. Tether keeps all income, Circle shares to grow, Paxos builds infrastructure via white-label. Opinions: my own, Graphic source: Goldman Sachs Subscribe to my newsletter: https://lnkd.in/dkqhnxdg

₹77,080 Crores allocated by the Government of India for startups and manufacturing in 2025. Yet most founders are still chasing VC money. I work with startups daily, and it surprises me how many don't even know these schemes exist. Here's what's available right now The Big Picture: → Deep Tech & Startup Fund: ₹30,000 Cr → MSME Budget Outlay: ₹23,168 Cr → Startup India Fund of Funds: ₹10,000 Cr → PLI Electronics & IT: ₹9,000 Cr → PLI Auto Components: ₹2,819 Cr → PLI Textiles: ₹1,148 Cr → Startup India Seed Fund: ₹945 Cr This is just the major allocations - there's more buried in smaller schemes. Let me break down what you can actually access based on your stage [1] For Early Stage Startups: 👉🏼 Startup India Seed Fund: Up to ₹50L per startup 👉🏼 SAMRIDH Scheme: Up to ₹40L grants 👉🏼 Atal Innovation Mission: Up to ₹15L for prototypes Most founders think these are too small. But remember, this is non-dilutive capital that can get you to revenue stage. [2] For Revenue Stage Companies: 👉🏼 CGTMSE: Up to ₹2 Cr collateral-free loans 👉🏼 Stand-Up India: ₹10L to ₹1 Cr for SC/ST/Women entrepreneurs 👉🏼 Multiplier Grants: Up to ₹10 Cr for R&D projects This is where it gets interesting. Revenue-stage companies have the best shot at accessing larger amounts. [3] For Manufacturing: 👉🏼 PLI schemes across 14+ sectors 👉🏼 Significant incentives for domestic production 👉🏼 Focus on electronics, auto, textiles If you're in manufacturing, you're literally sitting on a goldmine of incentives. The challenge? Most founders don't know how to navigate the application process. Here's where to start: - Startup India Portal [https://lnkd.in/gBdAH52D] - myScheme Portal [myscheme.gov.in] - SIDBI Portal [sidbi.in] - AIM Portal [aim.gov.in] - MeitY Startup Hub [msh.meity.gov.in] What you actually need: ✓ DPIIT registration for startups ✓ Proper documentation ✓ Clear business plan ✓ Compliance records ✓ Incubator partnerships (for some schemes) I've seen founders spend months preparing pitch decks for VCs, but won't spend a week getting their documentation ready for government schemes. The reality is Government funding is often cheaper, comes with less dilution, and has better terms than VC money. But it requires patience and proper documentation. #startupfunding #manufacturing #debtfunding

Emerging Departments: How AI is Transforming Organizations Transformation in light of AI isn't just about digital change—it's strategic, cultural, and organizational. Early results of organizational optimization with AI reveal that traditional structures are evolving into new, combined departments that break down silos and enhance collaboration. Here are some emerging trends: 1. Human Experience Department (Led by the CXO) Combines marketing, HR, and customer service to create a unified experience approach. Focuses on customer and employee experience as a seamless continuum. Example: Airbnb and Starbucks blending internal and external engagement for holistic experience design. 2. The Intelligence Function (Led by Chief Data & Intelligence Officer (CDIO)) Merges IT, data analytics, and AI strategy into a unified intelligence function. Enhances decision-making with data-driven insights and technology integration. Example: Microsoft and Amazon use intelligence functions to support strategy and innovation. 3. Integrated Growth Department (Led by the CGO) Combines Marketing, Sales, and Customer Success to create cohesive client journeys. Prioritizes growth by aligning customer interactions across all touchpoints. Example: HubSpot and Salesforce driving client experience continuity. 4. Strategic Innovation & Transformation Office (Led by Chief Strategy Officer or Chief Transformation Officer) Combines strategy, innovation, and transformation initiatives for continuous evolution. Fosters agility by integrating foresight and innovation into long-term strategy. Example: Tesla blending innovation with strategic growth planning. 5. Technology and Digital Transformation Department (Led by the Chief Technology & Transformation Officer) Integrates IT, digital transformation, and cybersecurity under one strategic role. Embeds technology into workflows while ensuring security and compliance. Example: Cisco and IBM streamlining their digital transformation efforts. 6. Resilience and Continuity Department (Led by the Chief Risk Officer) Oversees Risk Management, Business Continuity, and Strategic Foresight. Ensures organizational resilience in an increasingly FLUX world. Example: JP Morgan building resilience to mitigate risks and ensure continuity. 7. Ethics and Responsible AI Office (Led by the CEAO) Ensures ethical AI use and compliance with regulatory standards. Maintains trust and integrity as AI becomes central to business strategy. Example: Microsoft and IBM proactively building ethics frameworks for responsible AI. In sum, AI is driving fundamental shifts in how we structure our organizations. To thrive, leaders must think beyond digital transformation and focus on strategic, cultural, and organizational evolution. The companies that succeed will be those that break down silos, integrate their functions, and embrace transformation as a continuous journey.

Strong & precise targeting used to be the cornerstone of Digital Marketing. They were considered the rules to which the system adhered. But not anymore. We are moving to the age of "Signals". A simple example to understand the difference between a targeting rule and a signal. In Search Marketing, - Exact Match Keyword(7 years back) are rule. Adwords system adheres to it without much deviation. - Broad Match Keyword is signal. They are directional. Today, every targeting option is moving to signals. i.e., broad-based. This movement takes the control away from the marketers. Campaign success depends more on the feedback from the data(read optimization event) than the human feedback. On the one hand, it democratizes digital marketing so everyone can use it. Conversely, it makes the marketing channels autocratic, as there will be no one in the middle to question. 𝘚𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘦: 𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘦𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘳𝘭𝘺 𝘸𝘢𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘪𝘧 𝘤𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘎𝘰𝘰𝘨𝘭𝘦 & 𝘐𝘎 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵𝘴𝘈𝘱𝘱 𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘦𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘔𝘦𝘵𝘢 Coming back to the point, this will make the 'how' part of digital marketing ( How to set up, how to structure, etc.) straightforward and mundane. So, they will soon be replaced by Learned Machines. While this has been happening on the targeting side for some time, it will soon happen on the creative side as well. In the scenario, what makes the future Digital Marketers valuable? - Ability to understand why the learned machines behave in a specific manner - And the knowledge to course correct it. More like today's data scientists. Start spending more time on this process today to be future ready.

🚀 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐚’𝐬 𝐓𝐨𝐩 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐩𝐬 🚀 Starting up is tough. But you are not alone. The Indian government has many schemes to help you grow fast and stay strong. 1. 𝐃𝐏𝐈𝐈𝐓 & Startup India • Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS) – Up to ₹20 L for proof of concept. Up to ₹50 L to scale. • Fund of Funds (@FFS) – ₹10,000 Cr corpus for VC funds. • Tax Holiday – 100% income-tax exemption for 3 years. • Angel Tax Exemption – No tax on fair‑value investments. • Fast‑track Exit – Close down in 90 days under IBC. 2. Department of Science, Technology and Innovation DST (Science & Tech) • Nidhi Prayas – ₹10 L for early prototypes. • nidhi eir dst goi – ₹20–30 K/month stipend for aspiring founders. • Seed Support – ₹25 L via incubators. • TBI & Accelerator – Soft loans or equity for growth. 3. MeitY Startup Hub (Electronics & IT) • TIDE 2.0 – Grants ₹4–7 L (ideation) and ₹7 L (PoC). • Samridhi Skilling Centre – ₹40 L matching fund plus mentor support. • GENESIS – Up to ₹1 Cr for deep‑tech in Tier II/III cities. 4. @𝐌𝐒𝐌𝐄 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲 • Incubation – ₹15 L per idea; ₹1 Cr to incubators. • Aspire NZ Seed Fund (Aspire) & PMEGP – Seed funds and subsidy‑linked loans up to ₹25 L. • CGTMSE-India – Collateral‑free loans up to ₹2 Cr (75–85% guarantee). 5. DBT – Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) (Biotech) • BIG – ₹50 L grant for biotech PoC. • SBIRI & BIPP – ≥₹1 Cr grants/loans for SME R&D. • 74 Bio‑incubators – Labs, mentors, equipment. 6. NITI Aayog (AIM & WEP) • Atal Incubation Centre- BIMTECH Centres – Grants + infrastructure. • Atal New India Challenges – Funds for public‑sector solutions. • Women Entrepreneurship Platform – Networking + funding for women. 7. 𝐀𝐠𝐫𝐢 & 𝐑𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 • RKVY-RAFTAAR Agribusiness Incubator, IIT (BHU)‑RAFTAAR – ₹25 L for agri‑startups. • Agri‑Clinics – Training + finance. • Pmfme Scheme & SAMPADA – ₹10 L grants for food processing. 8. 𝐃𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 & 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡 • iDEX – Up to ₹1.5 Cr for defence innovations. • TDF – Up to ₹10 Cr for indigenisation. 9. 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐦 & 𝐂𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 • Swadesh Darshan & PRASHAD – Boost homestays, guides, apps. • Tourism Hackathons – Pitch ideas on heritage tech. 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 "𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐏𝐃𝐅" 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐚 𝐏𝐃𝐅 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 👉 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩𝐬: 1. Get DPIIT recognition. 2. Pick schemes that fit your stage. 3. Connect with incubators. 4. Apply early. - 𝐋𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝟏𝟕 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 - https://lnkd.in/dnAZwnqC Join my #WhatsApp Channel for live updates: https://lnkd.in/dzf-Gu2M Follow Utkarsh Mishra | Tag a @founder | #Grants2025 Tag a founder friend who must know this. Let’s build in India, for India! 🇮🇳 #StartupIndia #GovtSchemes #Entrepreneurs #Innovation #MakeInIndia

Early in my VC career, I was burned several times by “over-qualified” CFOs who liked to talk strategy and M&A but could not generate accurate financials. So for many years, I advised spending very little on finance, just enough to keep the books in order. My views have changed, however. For SaaS businesses with small to mid-sized customers who are booking 20 or more customers a year, a well-functioning finance department is critical right out of the gate. Why? Because finance is where data resides, and data is the lifeblood of a SaaS company. But why should the data live with finance? Why not in marketing or sales? It’s because the finance function has an inherent level of checks and balances. Financial statements are designed to balance and are tied back to the reality of the bank account. They can be manipulated, but not for long. I have worked with many SaaS businesses that kept track of things like ARR and bookings in other systems or spreadsheets, and they were inevitably wrong. ARR and bookings must be reconciled with billings and cash, which only happens in finance. This is not to imply that other systems or departments are sloppy or untrustworthy; it’s just that they are not designed to be balanced, and they can’t tie their numbers to anything real, like a bank account. But what can finance do with the data that creates value for a start-up? A capable finance department generates financial statements and metrics that allow the executive team to make smarter decisions about managing the company. That sounds simple, but in practice, most start-ups do not have good financial statements and metrics to help guide their decisions. Let’s start with something as simple as the “chart of accounts.” The chart of accounts is a list of labels you use to categorize the money flowing through your company. If you use the labels pre-populated into QuickBooks, you will use the same labels as an ice cream shop and a tattoo parlor. Do yourself a favor and start with a chart of accounts designed for a SaaS company. How will this be an advantage? Let’s look at a company's income statement with a SaaS-specific chart of accounts vs. one without. This is basic, but it’s obvious how the presentation on the left provides more insight into the business. In addition, the income statement on the left allows critical SaaS metrics like CAC Payback and others to be calculated and tracked. And these benefits are not just internal; they apply directly to fundraising and M&A. SaaS investors and buyers understand and expect the financial presentation on the left. At SaaS Capital, we would have to work with companies to create a more detailed income statement if they did not already have one. This slowed the process and, in some cases, stopped us from providing capital. In the comments section below is a link to a more expansive discussion of the strategic importance of the finance function in a start-up.

If you see a digital marketer rocking back and forth in the fetal position today, this is why. Cookies are going away EVEN MORE than before. Around 50% of the U.S. uses the Chrome browser. And if Chrome completely phases out cookies in 2024, that’s a lot of advertisers who lose more ability to retarget ads to users based on search history. Terrible for marketers, pretty cool for the creator economy. You may not be able to see who went to Notion anymore, but there’s lots of media to buy for Notion tutorial creators on TikTok and YouTube. As niched down content has become more popular greatly due to the more democratic TikTok FYP, there are more opportunities to hyper target based on current behavior rather than past behavior. And for D2C brands, I’m sure they’re keeping their fingers crossed that shoppable video keeps growing in the US so awareness to purchase can all happen within one experience. No retargeting required for that ever-important first purchase. I see this as a signal that the future of digital marketing will involve O&O social profile growth, content marketing, influencer marketing, email marketing, and investments into more dark social communities. And right-sizing media spend appropriately with its waning effectiveness. #cookies #creatoreconomy #socialmedia https://lnkd.in/gYijkYiQ

Venture Capital seems to be the defacto thought when it comes to fundraising but less than 1% of founders do so successfully. For those that don’t fit the VC outlook there are other options to give your businesses the stable footing that it needs. Crowdfunding is often seen as a simple capital-raising tool, but for many founders now see it as a strategic choice rooted in a clear vision for how they want to build and grow their company. Building for a community first vs building then finding a community second. For many companies, the decision to crowdfund was a conscious effort to stay close to their core customers and avoid the influence of professional investors. As one founder put it, crowdfunding allows you to raise money without having to "convince a handful of big investors to believe in you." Instead, you are building a community of people who already do. This approach offers key advantages: Values Alignment: It attracts investors who genuinely want to see the business succeed for the right reasons, particularly for mission-driven brands. Brand Ambassadors: The investors who love your product become your most powerful brand advocates, helping to build momentum far beyond the initial capital raise. Direct Control: Founders maintain more control over their company's direction and avoid potential values misalignment with professional investors who may prioritize different outcomes. While crowdfunding is a brave and public process, it offers a way to build a company on a foundation of shared vision and community ownership. It proves that you can scale a business by bringing your fans along for the journey, and that the best investors are often the people who believe in your mission from day one. If you are building a more open investment landscape, where community, access and strong brand stories drive momentum, you can subscribe to my newsletter here on LinkedIn. It is where I share what we are learning as more people get the chance to back the businesses they believe in.

Should Startup Founders Prioritize Building an Online Community? This past week at the Uniting The Prairies in Saskatoon, you could directly see and feel the power of community in the startup ecosystem. Speaking to a room full of innovators about engaging remote groups, I shared why and how startups should prioritize building an online community of users, buyers, or members. Why Build an Online Community? 1️⃣ Sustainable Growth: As demonstrated by brands like the LEGO Group during their turnaround phase, engaging with a community can drive long-term loyalty and innovative ideas that are crucial for sustainable growth. 2️⃣ Immediate Feedback: Direct interaction with your community allows for immediate and actionable feedback, essential for iterative development. 3️⃣ Brand Advocacy: Engaged community members become brand advocates, organically increasing your reach and credibility. How Can Startups Approach This? ✅ Start with Clear Objectives: Define what you want to achieve with your community (support, feedback, advocacy). ✅ Engage on the Right Platforms: Choose platforms where your audience is already active and engaged. ✅ Foster Genuine Connections: Create opportunities for real engagement. Use tools like Slack for ongoing communication and Zoom events for deeper, face-to-face interactions (amongst many other options). ✅ Provide Value Consistently: Whether through insider information, direct support, or engaging content, ensure that being part of your community is beneficial. For any startup founder questioning the investment in community building, remember: the value lies not just in the immediate returns but in the enduring relationships and trust you build, which can pivotally support your startup’s journey. I hope my talk last week, literally pointing out these potentials (see image attached ha), helped show a path to startup success in today's digital age through vibrant, engaged online communities. I’d love to hear from you: How are you leveraging community for your startup or remote group? What challenges and successes have you encountered? #StartupCommunity #Community #TechStartups #UnitingThePrairies Co.Labs #CanadianStartUps #UP24 Prairies Economic Development Canada I Développement économique Canada pour les Prairies