In the high-stakes world of startups, where timing often determines survival, Reid Hoffman offered one of the most enduring—and often misunderstood—principles of business: “If you’re not embarrassed by the first version of your product, you started too late.”
Hoffman, co-founder of LinkedIn and major venture capitalist Greylock Partners, has long been considered one of Silicon Valley’s most influential thinkers. His quote has gained attention over the years for its provocative framing, often cited alongside other bold startup philosophies such as Mark Zuckerberg’s famous “move fast and break things” approach.
But Hoffman himself has repeatedly specified that his statement is not a license for recklessness.
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Quote
“If you’re not ashamed of the first version of your product, you launched it too late.”
What does the quote mean
At heart, Hoffman’s idea isn’t about lowering standards—it’s about redefining them. The “embarrassment” he talks about isn’t about launching something broken or unresponsive, but about accepting that a product in its earliest stages will inevitably be incomplete.
However, over time, this nuance was often lost. Hoffman admitted that some entrepreneurs misinterpreted the quote as an endorsement of clipping or drifting poorly conceived ideas. In an episode of his Masters of Scale podcast, he clarified the limits of his philosophy.
“But notice, I said if you are not embarrassed by your product. I did not say if you are not accused or deeply ashamed of your product.”
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This distinction is critical. There is an obvious difference between starting to learn early and starting irresponsibly. If a product leads to legal trouble, alienates users at scale, or burns capital without direction, Hoffman argues, it’s not speed—it’s bad judgment.
Instead, the principle rests on rapid experimentation. In today’s digital ecosystem, where updates can be rolled out instantly and feedback loops are instantaneous, the cost of iteration is much lower than it was in previous decades. Hoffman pointed out that in the 1990s, creating and distributing software was expensive and slow, leaving little room for trial-and-error approaches.
Today, startups operate in a completely different environment. Founders can quickly test ideas, refine them based on user feedback, and scale what works. In this context, waiting for perfection can be more harmful than starting prematurely.
Interestingly, Zuckerberg offered a complementary perspective in his interview with Hoffman. He suggested that the real risk lies not in mistakes but in missed opportunities.
“I’m much more motivated to make sure we have the biggest impact on the world… I’m more worried… that we’ll miss an opportunity… than that we’ll screw something up.”
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This thinking is closely related to Hoffman’s thinking. Both emphasize action over hesitation, learning over certainty.
Another unpleasant—but necessary—element of Hoffman’s philosophy is the acceptance that not all users will be satisfied. Early versions of products can frustrate or even alienate some segments of the audience. However, this trade-off is necessary for long-term success, according to Hoffman.
“The opportunity to create a lasting product far outweighs the cost of alienating a few users along the way.”
For entrepreneurs, it’s clear: progress often requires discomfort. The goal is not to remove flaws before launch, but to constantly build, test, learn and improve.
About Reid Hoffman
Reid Garrett Hoffman is an American entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and author, best known as the co-founder of LinkedIn. In addition to building one of the largest professional networking platforms in the world, he has been instrumental in shaping the startup ecosystem through investment and thought leadership.
He is associated with venture firm Greylock Partners and has backed several high-growth technology companies. Hoffman is also a podcaster and author who frequently shares insights on business scaling, leadership and innovation.
According to recent estimates, his net worth is around $2.6 billion, reflecting both his business success and investment prowess.
