This is why (now)

A Small Question

Written by Nicolas Wittenborn · First published on Point Nine Land on Medium, June 2015

I have to admit that for a long time I didn’t understand why VC old timers, tech bloggers and business books were throwing the question ‘Why Now?’ at entrepreneurs. It always seemed to me like some kind of leftover from ancient times or plainly a rock to throw at a pitch to see how the entrepreneur reacts.

After a few years in the VC game, this question has started to develop meaning for me. It’s not that I always ask it openly, but I do answer it for myself when I think about a specific technology or startup and where they could go. Why? Because I have learned that timing is probably one of the most undervalued factors for success in tech ventures.

This is not to say that the ‘usual suspects’ of any other VC framework — team, idea/product and market size — are less relevant for a big outcome. It’s just that I believe that Timing is a missing part of that formula or maybe even the foundation that the other factors are building up on.

Catching the Wave

The best analogy for the importance of timing I can think of (Or read somewhere? If so pls call me out!) is a surfer catching the perfect wave.

If you start paddling too early, you will run out of energy and w0n’t have enough pace to be picked up by the wave.

If you start paddling too late, you will be too slow and the wave will just pass you by.

The timing needs to be exactly right. Sure there is some flexibility by paddling faster or slower, but generally if you start too early or too late you will miss the wave.

So timing is crucial, but it’s not the only requirement to ride a great wave. If you are going to the wrong beach (market), are not a good surfer (team) or have a shitty board (product), then it won’t be easy either. ☺

Timing is Momentum is Growth

The right timing can change the course of your venture, because it can leave incumbents vulnerable and accelerate everything you do. From market adoption to distribution and receptiveness of your ideas, over interest in your story and the ability to raise funding or recruit top talent. Timing will create momentum.

And this momentum will result in positive feedback loops, that are reinforcing themselves and eventually will lead to growth. And as Father Paul told us, startups = growth.

So this is why (now)!

UPDATE: Two people (Videesha and Juan) pointed out a great TED Talk by Bill Gross on Twitter, which underlines the gist of this post with some actual research. Thanks, guys!