The Top 10 Best Startup Books For Founders To Read in 2024

Let's explore 10 of the very best startup books for founders to read. Each of the books included in this list cover unique insights on how to build a better startup. They can help you gather important feedback, iterate and improve your idea, and turn it into a sustainable business.
So whether you're trying to come up with a startup idea, have an idea and just need to execute on it, or are already well under way - this list can help you increase the odds that you'll turn your startup into a profitable and growing business.
CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL ARTICLE, BOOK LINKS, AND MORE:
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Here are the 10 best startup books covered in the list.
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1. THE LEAN STARTUP by Eric Ries
Book Summary ➜ • TOP 3 TIPS from THE LE...
Buy It On Amazon or Audible ➜ www.amazon.com/dp/1524762407/
Buy It On Apple Books ➜ books.apple.com/book/id422540072
2. SPRINT by Jake Knapp
Book Summary ➜ • How To Test New Ideas ...
Buy It On Amazon or Audible ➜ www.amazon.com/dp/0593076117/
Buy It On Apple Books ➜ books.apple.com/book/id101399...
3. THE MOM TEST by Rob Fitzpatrick
Book Summary ➜ • TOP 3 TIPS from THE MO...
Buy It On Amazon or Audible ➜ www.amazon.com/dp/1492180742/
Buy It On Apple Books ➜ books.apple.com/book/id160653...
4. CROSSING THE CHASM by Geoffrey A. Moore
Book Summary ➜ • Sell Disruptive Produc...
Buy It On Amazon or Audible ➜ www.amazon.com/dp/0062292986/
Buy It On Apple Books ➜ books.apple.com/book/id363687884
5. START AT THE END by Matt Wallaert
Book Summary ➜ • TOP 3 TIPS from START ...
Buy It On Amazon or Audible ➜ www.amazon.com/dp/0525534423/
Buy It On Apple Books ➜ books.apple.com/book/id144535...
6. MARKETING MADE SIMPLE by Donald Miller
Book Summary ➜ • How To Attract And Con...
Buy It On Amazon or Audible ➜ www.amazon.com/dp/1400217644/
Buy It On Apple Books ➜ books.apple.com/book/id146983...
7. TRACTION BY Gabriel Weinberg & Justin Mares
Book Summary ➜ • How To Attract More Cu...
Buy It On Amazon or Audible ➜ www.amazon.com/dp/0241242533/
Buy It On Apple Books ➜ books.apple.com/book/id977450633
8. CONTAGIOUS by Jonah Berger
Book Summary ➜ • Increase Word-Of-Mouth...
Buy It On Amazon or Audible ➜ www.amazon.com/dp/1451686587/
Buy It On Apple Books ➜ books.apple.com/book/contagio...
9. BLUE OCEAN STRATEGY by W. Chan Kim & Renée Mauborgne
Book Summary ➜ • How To Differentiate Y...
Buy It On Amazon or Audible ➜ www.amazon.com/dp/B00BW8JYZG/
Buy It On Apple Books ➜ books.apple.com/book/id945769529
10. ZERO TO ONE by Peter Thiel
Book Summary ➜ • How To Identify A Valu...
Buy It On Amazon or Audible ➜ www.amazon.com/dp/0753555204/
Buy It On Apple Books ➜ books.apple.com/book/id882793867
THE 10 BEST BUSINESS BOOKS
📚 • The 10 Best Business B...
THE 10 BEST DIGITAL MARKETING BOOKS
📚 • The Top 10 Best Digita...
THE 10 BEST PRODUCT MANAGEMENT BOOKS
📚 • The Top 10 Best Produc...
THE 10 BEST LEADERSHIP BOOKS
📚 • The Top 10 Best Leader...
THE 10 BEST ENTREPRENEUR BOOKS
📚 • The 10 Best Books For ...
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CHAPTER MARKERS
00:00 - The 10 Best Startup Books
00:30 - Book #1 - The Lean Startup by Eric Ries
01:50 - Book #2 - Sprint by Jake Knapp
03:00 - Book #3 - The Mom Test by Rob Fitzpatrick
04:45 - Book #4 - Crossing The Chasm by Geoffrey A. Moore
06:31 - Book #5 - Start At The End by Matt Wallaert
07:35 - Book #6 - Marketing Made Simple by Donald Miller
08:42 - Book #7 - Traction by Gabriel Weinberg & Justin Mares
09:48 - Book #8 - Contagious by Jonah Berger
11:22 - Book #9 - Blue Ocean Strategy by W. Chan Kim & Renée Mauborgne
12:35 - Book #10 - Zero To One by Peter Thiel
14:28 - Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Content by Rick Kettner
Produced by Kyle Trienke

[@RickKettner]

Do you have a favorite startup or business book that you'd like to see covered here in the future?

[@adil3344]

Hii sir Can you suggest me Some Books also I have Startup I provide consoles ( PS4) for Rent it is Doing good I have Read Lean Startup also but I want To Grow Can Uh suggest me Something 🙂

[@RickKettner]

@@adil3344 - Yep, I can make a recommendation! What is your biggest challenge OR opportunity right now?

[@adil3344]

@@RickKettner right Now My main Problem is How to Get more Customers how to market my Startup

[@adil3344]

@@RickKettner And Also Sir How can I Raise Money ?

[@RickKettner]

@@adil3344 - Assuming you've validated the underlying assumptions of the business (you mentioned reading The Lean Startup), I would recommend TRACTION by Gabriel Weinberg and Justin Mares. It covers 19 traction channels that you can use to attract more customers.

[@patilashish]

Great video. Some of these books were already on my watchlist but now I know a proper sequence to follow. Makes sense. Subscribed to your Apple podcast.

[@yashaparik]

Thx a lot for the description 😜🙌🏼

[@mento5090]

thanks for this, as a KZbinr myself I understand the amount of time you have to put in your videos, so hats off you deserve my sub.

[@RickKettner]

Thanks, glad you're enjoying the content!

[@ShubhamSingh-ke6rw]

Till now, I have read "The Lean Startup" and "The Mom Test" . Both are amazing. I loved them.

[@knight_04]

Nice list! noted some of them for TBR!

[@samyukta1576]

I advanced for (the lean startup) book and this video makes me more confidence tqsm💖

[@atulpundir8250]

just what i wanted to know. Great Content

[@sandipbhartiya9309]

Thank you for sharing....

[@someluckywinner568]

Very useful list. Thank you. May be your subs are low, but the gratitude of people like me whom u helped, will surly be huge.

[@RickKettner]

Growth is slow and steady :). I enjoy reading and sharing the insights I find, so I'm not too worried about how fast it grows. Those that are interested will find the content.

[@voltairepabustan]

Tons of value. Thank you!

[@RickKettner]

Glad it was helpful!

[@matthewbennet3015]

This is an amazing knowledge sharing video. 💪

[@RickKettner]

I'm glad you found it helpful :)

[@MystoGun650]

I have alot to learn from these books

[@adil3344]

Thanks for This Video

[@RickKettner]

You're welcome, glad you enjoyed it!

[@nelsonthekinger]

High Quality Content ☺

[@creativeking8888]

Really it is very useful list , I will apply all concepts.

[@RickKettner]

Nice, enjoy the books!

[@kyracl7318]

Just discovered your channel great videos

[@RickKettner]

Glad you like them!

[@karthik7390]

Very useful ❤️

[@RickKettner]

Glad you found it helpful!

[@danielportillo7925]

Thanks Rick

[@RickKettner]

You're welcome, glad you enjoyed it!

[@vishnubishnoipodcast3505]

Thanks to share this books and if possible made a full series man

[@RickKettner]

I'm glad you found the list helpful!

[@GengarEdit]

Great, I ordered all 10 - thank you!

[@RickKettner]

Nice, I'm sure you'll enjoy them!

[@ella6620]

Which one is ur fav?

[@GengarEdit]

@@ella6620 Lean Startup

[@Rafael-rf1sp]

I'm currently living with my parents and I disturb them all day by telling what I read everyday . I think unknowingly it is a great way to remember what you read. And now I’m currently about 80% through "Playbook to Millions by Grant Cardone. I have read a lot of entrepreneurial books and self improvement books, and this book is my absolute favorite. This book is extraordinary and really gets you to work extremely hard toward your goals in life and succeed at multiple different areas like personal finance, business and career. This is an absolute must buy if you need a push to get you going in business or you want more out of life.

[@rhydimgoel]

Hi Rick, I have the idea just can't plan it's execution road map, which book would you recommend? btw much needed video for me. Thnx alot

[@RickKettner]

Without knowing more about what you are building, it’s tricky… but The Lean Startup would almost certainly help.

[@sorcererstone3303]

When you are a solo founder, you wear many hats & do just about everythings - code development, market/paint points validation,... Such is the case, the book/concept sprint will not work as it is a framework for a team. Are there any books that are better fit for solo founders?

[@unclezizo]

The most beautiful bookshelf I've ever seen. 😍

[@RickKettner]

Aha, thanks!

[@Himanshu78647]

It is very helpful video sir, but you forgot " the purple cow" by seth godin😚

[@RickKettner]

That's another great book!

[@chiragmalviya3669]

I have read the sprint books thanks for your recommendation currently i am reading entrepreneur 5am to 9pm how about your suggestions on this book

[@RickKettner]

I haven't read that one yet. Enjoying it?

[@DevinPossinger]

This guys set up complete when he adds that ultrawide in front for working

[@RickKettner]

This setup is just for the studio. I generally work in another room a couple of doors down.

[@wizardhyeong]

cool channel!

[@RickKettner]

Thanks! Glad you like it :).

[@indianarmylover7279]

Hi sir how are your. I loves your video. Keep it up . An love from inida

[@RickKettner]

Thanks!

[@indianarmylover7279]

@@RickKettner Sir, I am an 14 years old Entrepreneur. Can you give me your nunber please sir. I'll not disturb you . But only as a friend . Please 'bhaiya' in englush Brother.🙏

[@michaelaivazianyt6695]

Good vid, just wanted to leave some good vibes

[@RickKettner]

Thanks!

[@alialsayoud8308]

Thanks Rick for your content that has been a great resource to entrepreneurs looking for books that expand their knowledge. But if you're torn between Marketing Made Simple and Dotcom Secrets by Russell Brunson, let us help! Are they similar enough in their content where it might be redundant reading both? Or is the insight from each so valuable that having two looks at marketing could benefit your business even more?

[@RickKettner]

I'm an advocate for reading as much as you can and getting multiple perspectives as time permits. A great approach is to start with one today and read the other in 3-6 months as both a refresher on the subject and a fresh perspective.

[@ideasandways1560]

Great Recommendations 👍👍 Keep it up✌✌

[@RickKettner]

Glad you liked them!

[@ideasandways1560]

@@RickKettner Enjoying your content!! The best part I like is the way you explain about every book you recommend.

[@RickKettner]

@@ideasandways1560 - Thank you for the kind words :).

[@ideasandways1560]

@@RickKettner You're Welcome!!

[@venkatvaibhav4439]

Can you do a video about books on business and sustainability? I would absolutely love it.

[@RickKettner]

That sounds like an interesting option. What questions, challenges, or opportunities would you like to see addressed in that kind of video? What would you be hoping to see covered in it?

[@venkatvaibhav4439]

@@RickKettner Being a part of Gen Z, I have always wanted to start a business that not just has profit, value, and people proposition but also environmental proposition. How do we do this? How can we give back to the earth? Also, can businesses take over the mantle from the government to practice and ensure sustainability? Which are the companies that are pioneers in green business? What strategies can businesses develop to make the first move before forthcoming laws make it a compulsion?

[@RickKettner]

@@venkatvaibhav4439 - That sounds like a great topic to address! The first book that comes to mind is Start With Why by Simon Sinek (I have a video on the channel about it). Another one that looks good, but I haven't read yet, is Start Something That Matters by Blake Mycoskie (about TOMS shoes).

[@venkatvaibhav4439]

@@RickKettner They look to be good suggestions. Will read them immediately. Thank you very much. It is very rare that a youtuber converses with viewers. I was suprised that you responded to all comments. Hats off to you. You are very committed and dedicated. Thank you again. I have one request. Can you suggest me 3 more books in that area? Even if you haven't read, you can suggest books that u heard are very good.

[@venkatvaibhav4439]

Can you suggest 3 more books in the same area?

[@twiceuponatime7625]

love from india

[@RickKettner]

Thanks!

[@siddhantjain8310]

Thanks brother but I am just starting a start up and I am confused between The lean startup and sprint

[@RickKettner]

Start with The Lean Startup. Sprint is a great read that you can follow-up with later for more ideas on how to build MPVs/prototypes, etc.

[@sanjiv5974]

Sir, which book should I read first as I am beginner. Btw love from india ❤️

[@RickKettner]

The Lean Startup and The Mom Test are both great places to start.

[@Z-Samo]

I have read a book if the money spoke 👍👍👍👍👍

[@pablo5676-v5n]

Hey Rick! Nice content 👌I was wondering if you could suggest us some books for businesses in creative industries or creativity related. Ty

[@RickKettner]

I might be able to suggest something. What kind of challenges or issues are you looking to overcome? Any additional info will help me make a better recommendation.

[@pablo5676-v5n]

@@RickKettner 🙌 so basically I have two challenges/issues 1.- how to set up creativity as the driving force of the business? 2.- how to sell/market a tangible product that its main value is subjective? At the moment I'm trying with look and feel + appeal for lifestyle and identity. I haven't found good textbooks that provide suitable tactics. I hope this info gives more context

[@RickKettner]

@@pablo5676-v5n - For #1, what is the goal of having creativity as the driving force or how might you measure that result? I suspect you would enjoy a book like Sprint by Jake Knapp, but it really depends on the context or what kind of creative work is being done. For #2, do you have a clear sense of the type of customer you are trying to reach? Is there a core audience that values the product or service you are trying to sell?

[@pablo5676-v5n]

@@RickKettner thanks a lot for taking the time to help me. I will take a look into the book you suggested. For #2, I'm trying to reach young males (25-35) living in cities. That's for demographics. Physcograohics, people who love urban decor style, creativity and originality.

[@RickKettner]

@@pablo5676-v5n - Regarding #1, I have heard good things about Creativity, Inc. but have not yet read it myself, so I can't make a strong recommendation there but it seems relevant. For #2, I would recommend you check out This Is Marketing by Seth Godin as a solid resource for building momentum, but unfortunately, I don't have a more custom-tailored recommendation.

[@vusiesithole3825]

I’m surprised that “The $100 Startup” by Chris Guillebeau didn’t make on the top 10.

[@RickKettner]

I haven't yet read it, but it's been on my list for a while. Might make a future revised version of the list :).

[@guptagopal]

Not "thanks" but "Thank you vary much" for amazing video. Here I also want to add one more in list "Rework". What's your thoughts on this?

[@RickKettner]

Yes, Rework is a solid book. It's been a while since I last read it, so it might be time to check it out again :).