Startups
Getting your first customers: The only validation that matters
If you’re at this stage now (pre-revenue, no brand, no traction), this is for you.
Mari Luukkainen
Pre-seed VC investor, growth operator, startup growth advisor, and keynote speaker. On this site, I share learnings about startup growth.
Marketing
AI didn’t kill your SEO. Your low-quality content did
Did AI kill it - or did you just ship crap at scale?
Fundraising
Female founders: It’s Not Personal. It’s Fundraising
100+ conversations before you get a single real “yes” is completely normal.
Startups
How to actually show VCs your team is the right for the problem
And no, “30+ years of experience” still isn’t a strategy.
Marketing
Vibe coding my way into SEO wins
Vibe SEO. Simple setup. Fast results. Vibe coded in 30 minutes.
Startups
Venting + problem-solving in the same conversation is underrated
Some of the best ideas come after you’ve said out loud how fucking frustrating something is.
Personal
I became a Next.js dev while improving my K/D ratio (vibe coding)
I haven’t been this hyped since I wrote stonks smut. This time, the chaos is actually productive.
Startups
It shouldn’t have to be you - but no one else if fucking doing it
If you’re the kind of person who sees a problem and can’t unsee it, you probably know this feeling.
Personal
I'm funding my COO's book
Unconventional marketing approach, I guess.
Personal
My latest boomer experience in the modern work
Do you have a first aid kit in your remote office?
Startups
My portfolio founder was terrified of firing someone - then I heard about an axe to the head
Chill out. Your early-stage company could have bigger problems.
Marketing
If you’re getting PR, prep your SEO first
Hidden SEO jackpot that's easy to miss.
Startups
How butter chicken built my ultimate contact list
Thanks to butter chicken, I have Finland's best contact list of employment area directors.
Personal
In love with pain
Funding rejection number 174 just landed in my inbox, and it felt like a badge of honor.
Startups
How diversity shapes resilient founders
I talked about how diversity drives resilience and growth at Slush.
Personal
How Herizon achieved over 10% MoM growth by launching successful employment partnerships
Over 10% MoM growth story by using personalized outreach, and launching success-based city partnerships.
Startups
Startup founders could already be enjoying a 4-day work week
Achieve a shorter workweek by focusing on high-impact tasks instead of avoiding them.
Startups
You don't need €10k to validate your idea
Why early-stage founders should focus on validating ideas with resourcefulness, not large budgets or funding.
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