Napkin Math

Business breakdowns, by the numbers.

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Napkin Math

In Defense of the Unoptimized Life

Give yourself the space to be inspired

1 Jan 12, 2023 by Evan Armstrong

Napkin Math

Why MasterClass Isn’t Really About Mastery

And other lessons from a 9-figure edtech startup

Jul 1, 2020 by Adam Keesling

Napkin Math

We Don’t Know Enough About the Pornhub Acquisition

One of the world’s most important websites was sold and nobody cares

2 Apr 6, 2023 by Evan Armstrong

Napkin Math

The Cost of Greatness

What will be the blood sacrifice on your altar of ambition?

2 Jun 1, 2023 by Evan Armstrong

Napkin Math

You Probably Shouldn’t Work at a Startup

It’s overrated—both financially and emotionally

4 May 20, 2021 by Evan Armstrong

Napkin Math

Product-Led Growth’s Failure

How a Scrappy Utah Software Company Ignored Every Silicon Valley Heuristic and Won Anyway

3 Jun 3, 2021 by Evan Armstrong

Napkin Math

Substack Rhymes With Medium

Substack can't decide if it's a CMS or a media brand. Neither could Medium. Their indecision will likely lead to similar outcomes.

Sep 26, 2020 by Adam Keesling

Napkin Math

Devote Yourself to the Cause of Your Life

Your to-do list can wait

1 Aug 3, 2023 by Evan Armstrong

Napkin Math

How Costco Convinces Brands to Cannibalize Themselves

An unlikely marriage where both sides win

3 Jul 15, 2020 by Adam Keesling

Napkin Math

Revenue: It’s Simple, Until It Isn’t

Finally, a clear explanation of bookings, billings and revenue

5 Feb 5, 2021 by Evan Armstrong

Napkin Math

AI Looks Like a Bubble

Investors need to take a cold shower

1 Feb 2, 2023 by Evan Armstrong

Napkin Math

Crypto’s Failed Promise

The problem with crypto-as-a-nation-state

1 May 12, 2022 by Evan Armstrong

Napkin Math

Snapchat’s Probably Screwed

Apple's ATT Fallout Continues

Jul 28, 2022 by Evan Armstrong

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What Happened to the Creator Economy?

The burden of missed expectations

2 Jun 29, 2023 by Evan Armstrong

Napkin Math

The Addiction Economy

Addicted, Overwhelmed, Oversubscribed: How Technology Hooked the World

May 26, 2022 by Evan Armstrong

Napkin Math

OpenAI’s Code Interpreter Is About to Remake Finance

Get in loser, we’re disrupting Oracle

Jun 15, 2023 by Evan Armstrong

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Tinder Is Way More Important Than You Think

Forget AI, the people want to bone

Mar 30, 2023 by Evan Armstrong

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Dying Whales and Dying Billionaires

A note about power

May 25, 2023 by Evan Armstrong

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Steve Jobs’ Legacy for Builders

A book that lit a fire in my soul

2 Apr 13, 2023 by Evan Armstrong

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The Futility of Utility

Why do I choose to do things that aren't in my best interest?

1 Aug 10, 2023 by Evan Armstrong

Napkin Math

You Probably Shouldn’t Work at a Startup

It’s overrated—both financially and emotionally

1 Apr 20, 2023 by Evan Armstrong

Napkin Math

Oh No, I Kinda Want to Work for Elon

An examination of the man-child who would be king

10 Sep 21, 2023 by Evan Armstrong

Napkin Math

Meditations on AI Mecca

A dispatch from a hacker conference in San Francisco

Dec 21, 2022 by Evan Armstrong

Napkin Math

Venture Capital Is Ripe for Disruption

A world where a billion is a drop in the bucket

Oct 27, 2022 by Evan Armstrong

Napkin Math

Meet Your New Finance Intern: GPT-4

How AI will reshape what finance professionals do

1 May 18, 2023 by Evan Armstrong