Skip to content

Startupland: How Three Guys Risked Everything to Turn an Idea Into a Global
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Startupland: How Three Guys Risked Everything to Turn an Idea Into a Global Business Hardcover - 2014 - 1st Edition

by Mikkel Svane; Carlye Adler (With)


From the publisher

The real story of what it takes to risk it all and go for broke.

Conventional wisdom says most startups need to be in Silicon Valley, started by young engineers around a sexy new idea, and backed by VC funding. But as Mikkel Svane reveals in Startupland, the story of founding Zendesk was anything but conventional.

Founded in a Copenhagen loft by three thirty-something friends looking to break free from corporate doldrums, Zendesk Inc. is now one of the hottest enterprise software companies, still rapidly growing with customers in 150 countries. But its success was anything but predestined. With revealing stories both funny and frank, Mikkel shares how he and his friends bravely left secure jobs to start something on their own, how he almost went broke several times, how they picked up themselves and their families to travel across the world to California and the unknown, and how the three friends were miraculously still together for Zendesk's IPO and (still growing) success.

Much like Zendesk's mission itself--to remove friction, barriers, and mystery in order to make customer service easier and more approachable--Startupland removes some of the myths about startups and startup founders. Mikkel's advice, hard-won through experience, often bucks conventional wisdom and entrepreneurial tropes. He shares why failure (whether fast or slow) is awful, why a seemingly boring product or idea can be the most exciting, why giving back to the community is as important as the bottom line. From how to hire right (look for people who are not offended by swearing) to which personas generate the highest response rates, Mikkel answers the most pressing questions from the perspective of someone still in the trenches and willing to share the hard truth, warts and all.

While there are books by consultants who tell you how to build businesses, or by entrepreneurs now running billion-dollar businesses, there are few books from people still in the trenches who acutely remember the difficult daily decisions, the thrill (and fears) of the early days, the problems that scale with growing a business, and the reason why they all went on the adventure in the first place. Startupland is indispensable reading for all entrepreneurs who want to make their ideas the next big thing. The book will inspire and empower you to follow your own dream and create your own story.

From the rear cover

ADVANCE PRAISE FOR STARTUPLAND

"Mikkel Svane's Startupland is a refreshingly honest and provocative account of his journey building Zendesk, complete with the hard choices, unexpected turns, and sheer terrors involved in running a startup. Svane blends practical advice with deeply personal reflections on the company, the industry, and Silicon Valley as a whole. A must-read for aspiring entrepreneurs."
--Aaron Levie, cofounder and CEO, Box

"Mikkel Svane is a great founder who wrote a great book about some of the not-so-great moments throughout his entrepreneurial escapades. With honesty, humor, and humility, Startupland shows what it's really like."
--Paddy Cosgrave, founder, the Web Summit and F.ounders

"I read Startupland over one weekend. I laughed, I cried, and mostly I was so happy I was on the other side. Mikkel Svane knows what it's like and tells it as it is. A must-read."
--Julia Hartz, cofounder and president, Eventbrite, Inc.

"Startupland is a refreshingly honest and humble inside look from Mikkel Svane, a Silicon Valley outsider. Startup founders will want to keep it as a reference for whenever things aren't going according to plan (which is all the time)."
--Ben Chestnut, cofounder and CEO, MailChimp

"Few people have the courage to leave their country and safety, even fewer end up with any real success, and hardly anyone is willing to share the real story in an honest and humorous way. Mikkel Svane did all of that. Startupland is bound to inspire you and have great impact on your life!"
--Lars Dalgaard, general partner, Andreessen Horowitz, and founder and CEO, SuccessFactors

From the jacket flap

ADVANCE PRAISE FOR STARTUPLAND

"Mikkel Svane's Startupland is a refreshingly honest and provocative account of his journey building Zendesk, complete with the hard choices, unexpected turns, and sheer terrors involved in running a startup. Svane blends practical advice with deeply personal reflections on the company, the industry, and Silicon Valley as a whole. A must-read for aspiring entrepreneurs."
--Aaron Levie, cofounder and CEO, Box

"Mikkel Svane is a great founder who wrote a great book about some of the not-so-great moments throughout his entrepreneurial escapades. With honesty, humor, and humility, Startupland shows what it's really like."
--Paddy Cosgrave, founder, the Web Summit and F.ounders

"I read Startupland over one weekend. I laughed, I cried, and mostly I was so happy I was on the other side. Mikkel Svane knows what it's like and tells it as it is. A must-read."
--Julia Hartz, cofounder and president, Eventbrite, Inc.

"Startupland is a refreshingly honest and humble inside look from Mikkel Svane, a Silicon Valley outsider. Startup founders will want to keep it as a reference for whenever things aren't going according to plan (which is all the time)."
--Ben Chestnut, cofounder and CEO, MailChimp

"Few people have the courage to leave their country and safety, even fewer end up with any real success, and hardly anyone is willing to share the real story in an honest and humorous way. Mikkel Svane did all of that. Startupland is bound to inspire you and have great impact on your life!"
--Lars Dalgaard, general partner, Andreessen Horowitz, and founder and CEO, SuccessFactors

Details

  • Title Startupland: How Three Guys Risked Everything to Turn an Idea Into a Global Business
  • Author Mikkel Svane; Carlye Adler (With)
  • Binding Hardcover
  • Edition number 1st
  • Edition 1
  • Pages 224
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Jossey-Bass
  • Date 2014-12-01
  • Features Dust Cover, Index
  • ISBN 9781118980811 / 1118980816
  • Weight 0.9 lbs (0.41 kg)
  • Dimensions 9.3 x 6.3 x 0.8 in (23.62 x 16.00 x 2.03 cm)
  • Themes
    • Aspects (Academic): Business Aspects
  • Library of Congress subjects New business enterprises, Customer services
  • Library of Congress Catalog Number 2014034502
  • Dewey Decimal Code 005.1

About the author

MIKKEL SVANE is founder, chairman, and CEO of Zendesk, Inc. (ZEN), a global software company with a beautifully simple web-based customer service desk, loved by tens of thousands of organizations in 150 countries including Uber, Adobe, Red Bull, and Pinterest. He lives in San Francisco with his wife and children. For more information, please visit www.zendesk.com, or follow Mikkel on Twitter via @mikkelsvane.

CARLYE ADLER is an award-winning journalist and coauthor of several bestselling books. Her books have been translated into a dozen languages. She lives in New York. For more information, please visit www.carlyeadler.com.

Back to Top

More Copies for Sale

Startupland: How Three Guys Risked Everything to Turn an Idea into a Global Business
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Startupland: How Three Guys Risked Everything to Turn an Idea into a Global Business

by Svane, Mikkel

  • Used
Condition
Used - Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9781118980811 / 1118980816
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Waltham, Massachusetts, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$1.00
$3.00 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Jossey-Bass. Used - Good. . . All orders guaranteed and ship within 24 hours. Your purchase supports More Than Words, a nonprofit job training program for youth, empowering youth to take charge of their lives by taking charge of a business.
Item Price
$1.00
$3.00 shipping to USA
Startupland: How Three Guys Risked Everything to Turn an Idea into a Global Business
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Startupland: How Three Guys Risked Everything to Turn an Idea into a Global Business

by Svane, Mikkel

  • Used
  • Hardcover
Condition
Used; Good
Edition
1
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9781118980811 / 1118980816
Quantity Available
2
Seller
Milton Keynes , Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$4.37
$13.80 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Jossey-Bass. 1. Hardcover. Used; Good. Simply Brit – welcome to our online used book store, where affordability meets great quality. Dive into a world of captivating reads without breaking the bank. We take pride in offering a wide selection of used books, from classics to hidden gems, ensuring there’s something for every literary palate. All orders are shipped within 24 hours and our lightning fast-delivery within 48 hours coupled with our prompt customer service ensures a smooth journey from ordering to delivery. Discover the joy of reading with us, your trusted source for affordable books that do not compromise on quality. 11/21/2014
Item Price
$4.37
$13.80 shipping to USA
Startupland: How Three Guys Risked Everything to Turn an Idea into a Global Business
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Startupland: How Three Guys Risked Everything to Turn an Idea into a Global Business

by Svane, Mikkel & Adler, Carlye

  • Used
  • Hardcover
Condition
Used; Good
Edition
1
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9781118980811 / 1118980816
Quantity Available
1
Seller
London, Greater London, United Kingdom
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$4.38
$13.80 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
John Wiley & Sons, 01/20/2015. 1. Hardcover. Used; Good. **WE SHIP WITHIN 24 HRS FROM LONDON, UK, 98% OF OUR ORDERS ARE RECEIVED WITHIN 7-10 DAYS. We believe you will be completely satisfied with our quick and reliable service. All orders are dispatched as swiftly as possible! Buy with confidence! Greener Books.
Item Price
$4.38
$13.80 shipping to USA
Startupland : How Three Guys Risked Everything to Turn an Idea into a Global Business
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Startupland : How Three Guys Risked Everything to Turn an Idea into a Global Business

by Svane, Mikkel

  • Used
Condition
Used - Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9781118980811 / 1118980816
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Mishawaka, Indiana, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$5.73
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Wiley & Sons, Incorporated, John. Used - Good. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages.
Item Price
$5.73
FREE shipping to USA
Startupland : How Three Guys Risked Everything to Turn an Idea into a Global Business
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Startupland : How Three Guys Risked Everything to Turn an Idea into a Global Business

by Svane, Mikkel

  • Used
Condition
Used - Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9781118980811 / 1118980816
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Reno, Nevada, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$5.73
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Wiley & Sons, Incorporated, John. Used - Good. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages.
Item Price
$5.73
FREE shipping to USA
Startupland : How Three Guys Risked Everything to Turn an Idea into a Global Business
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Startupland : How Three Guys Risked Everything to Turn an Idea into a Global Business

by Svane, Mikkel

  • Used
Condition
Used - Like New
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9781118980811 / 1118980816
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Mishawaka, Indiana, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$7.09
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Wiley & Sons, Incorporated, John. Used - Like New. Used book that is in almost brand-new condition.
Item Price
$7.09
FREE shipping to USA
Startupland: How Three Guys Risked Everything to Turn an Idea Into a Global Business

Startupland: How Three Guys Risked Everything to Turn an Idea Into a Global Business

by Svane, Mikkel

  • Used
  • very good
  • Hardcover
Condition
Used - Very Good
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9781118980811 / 1118980816
Quantity Available
2
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$7.29
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Jossey-Bass, 2014. Hardcover. Very Good. May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
$7.29
FREE shipping to USA
Startupland: How Three Guys Risked Everything to Turn an Idea Into a Global Business

Startupland: How Three Guys Risked Everything to Turn an Idea Into a Global Business

by Svane, Mikkel

  • Used
  • Hardcover
Condition
Like New
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9781118980811 / 1118980816
Quantity Available
3
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$7.29
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Jossey-Bass, 2014. Hardcover. Like New. Pages are clean and are not marred by notes or folds of any kind. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
$7.29
FREE shipping to USA
Startupland: How Three Guys Risked Everything to Turn an Idea into a Global Business
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Startupland: How Three Guys Risked Everything to Turn an Idea into a Global Business

by Mikkel Svane

  • Used
  • Hardcover
  • first
Condition
Used - Very Good
Edition
First Edition
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9781118980811 / 1118980816
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Wheat Ridge, Colorado, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$8.50
$4.99 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Jossey-Bass, December 2014. First Edition. Hardcover . Used - Very Good/Very Good. Light edgewear and rubbing to dust jacket, binding sound/tight and pages unmarked. Domestic orders shipped with USPS tracking numbers.
Item Price
$8.50
$4.99 shipping to USA
Startupland How Three Guys Risked Everything to Turn an Idea into a Global Business
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Startupland How Three Guys Risked Everything to Turn an Idea into a Global Business

by Svane, Mikkel

  • New
Condition
New
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9781118980811 / 1118980816
Quantity Available
40
Seller
Benton Harbor, Michigan, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$17.23
$3.99 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Wiley-Interscience. New. BRAND NEW, GIFT QUALITY! NOT OVERSTOCKS OR MARKED UP REMAINDERS! DIRECT FROM THE PUBLISHER!
Item Price
$17.23
$3.99 shipping to USA