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The Lean Startup

by Eric Ries · 2011

Eric Ries's book on lean startup methods, rapid experimentation, minimum viable products, and validated learning.

Why this author is included

Eric Ries · Entrepreneur and author

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Who recommends it

3 people have recommended The Lean Startup. Each entry links to the source.

Steve BlankEntrepreneur and customer-development author

The Lean Startup is a must have for your shelf.

Strongly recommended · Exact quote Source: Steve Blank

Evidence details

Books for Startups

Blank describes Ries's book while discussing Customer Development and Agile implementation.

The quote is taken word for word from the source.

Steve Blank · accessed 2026-06-21 · accessed 2026-06-21

Official source · Official startup reading list

Steve Blank's official Books for Startups page names these titles in startup reading sections and includes direct guidance such as must-have, must-read, essential reading, useful read, or listed book guidance.

Ben HorowitzCo-founder, Andreessen Horowitz

I think if it's a little company, Eric Ries's book is great, The Lean Startup.

Recommended · Exact quote Source: Tim Ferriss

Evidence details

Ben Horowitz Transcript - The Tim Ferriss Show

Horowitz recommended The Lean Startup for small-company founders in the Tim Ferriss transcript.

The quote is taken word for word from the source.

Tim Ferriss · 2019-11-12 · accessed 2026-06-23

Transcript · Podcast transcript

In response to a books-for-founders question, Horowitz says Eric Ries's The Lean Startup is great for a little company and explains its fundamental startup lessons.

Marc AndreessenCo-founder, Netscape and Andreessen Horowitz

Included in the official a16z list of 25 books recommended by Marc Andreessen.

Recommended · Wording not verified Source: a16z

Evidence details

25 books recommended by Marc Andreessen

An attributed recommendation list published by his venture firm. Catalog wording is a citation, not a direct quotation from Andreessen.

This text documents what the source says, but it is not verified as a word-for-word quote.

a16z · 2026-07-30 · accessed 2026-09-30

Reading list · Official a16z attributed reading list

The official note explicitly attributes the recommendations to Marc Andreessen. The attached list image was inspected directly; this title appears in that image. Publication date confirmed in page JSON-LD.

Also mentioned by

These people mentioned or cited The Lean Startup without directly recommending it.

Reid HoffmanCo-founder, LinkedIn

Business Insider reported that Reid Hoffman appeared on Eric Ries' podcast to recommend The Lean Startup.

Cited · Wording not verified Source: Business Insider

Evidence details

Summer reading list for early-career high achievers, according to top CEOs

The article lists The Lean Startup in a CEO summer reading guide and attributes the recommendation to Hoffman's appearance on Eric Ries' podcast.

This text documents what the source says, but it is not verified as a word-for-word quote.

Business Insider · 2025-07-04 · accessed 2026-06-20

Article · Reported podcast citation

Business Insider reports that LinkedIn founder Reid Hoffman appeared on Eric Ries' podcast to recommend The Lean Startup.

About the author

What the author has done, shown separately from who recommends the book.

Eric RiesEntrepreneur and author

Author of The Lean Startup and founder associated with the lean startup methodology.

The Lean Startup

Who recommends it

Also mentioned by

About the author

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