Backable

The Surprising Truth Behind What Makes People Take a Chance on You

Contributors

By Suneel Gupta

Read by Suneel Gupta

Read by Carlye Adler

Read by Landon Woodson

Read by Natalie Naudus

Formats and Prices

Price

$24.99

Format

A groundbreaking book that boldly claims the key to success in business is not talent, connections, or ideas, but the ability to persuade people to take a chance on potential.

No one ever makes it alone. But how come some people can get investors to believe in their ideas while others—sometimes with even better ideas—fall flat? What is it about certain people that make us want to take a bet on them? What is it that makes them backable? As it turns out, it’s not what you think. Backability is not driven by having the best experience, the finest pedigree, or the most innovative ideas. In fact, many highly successful people are backed long before they are qualified. We tend to view these people as lucky. But the decision to back them is neither an accident nor a mistake, and rarely the result of good luck.

Drawing from his own business experience, countless interviews with some of tech’s biggest innovators, and compelling case studies of classic success stories like Howard Schultz and Elon Musk, Gupta breaks down the six qualities of backable people that get others to take a bet on them. Backable pulls back the curtain on the illusive x factor that some people just seem to have and instead offers concrete tools like crafting the right pitch and appropriately scaling a project’s vision. Anyone from aspiring entrepreneurs to start up stars can master these skills and jumpstart their next big idea.

  • “The most successful people aren’t just brilliant...they’re backable. This is the quality I look for most in leaders I recruit and entrepreneurs I fund—now I have a great name for it and a playbook for what it takes. Whether you want to get ahead inside a company or build a startup from the ground up, this fascinating book is a must-read.”
    Reid Hoffman, co-founder of Linkedin
  • "The most exceptional people aren't just brilliant...they're backable. This remarkable book can be your secret weapon for bringing your idea to life."
     
    Daniel Pink, #1 New York Times bestselling author of When, Drive and To Sell is Human
  • “This book is truly brave. I felt like I was sitting with Suneel as he unveiled secret steps that anyone can take to stand out and achieve their dreams.”
     
    Reshma Saujani, founder and CEO of Girls Who Code, bestselling author of Brave Not Perfect
  • "Being backable isn’t just for celebrities and CEOs. It’s a required skill for anyone who is trying to make it in the world. This book will change the trajectory of careers, launch new ideas into the world, and inspire cocktail party conversation for years to come."
    Dr. Jennifer Aaker General Atlantic Professor at Stanford Graduate School of Business
  • "Suneel Gupta demystifies the “x-factor” I look for in leaders, activists and entrepreneurs. Becoming backable will change how the world sees you—and how you see yourself."
    Brian Grazer, Oscar-winning producer
  • "Backable provides a super-readable and actionable look at how to make your ideas take flight. Whether you're pitching a brand-new startup or an idea for your company's next product, you'll find a wealth of insights and stories throughout."
    Mike Krieger, co-founder of Instagram

On Sale
Feb 23, 2021
Publisher
Hachette Audio
ISBN-13
9781549100833

Suneel Gupta

About the Author

Suneel Gupta was the co-founder and CEO of Rise, a mobile health company focused on preventative health, which he sold to One Medical in 2016. He then served as an Entrepreneur in Residence with Kleiner Perkins before moving back from San Francisco to his hometown in Michigan to run for U.S. Congress.

Learn more about this author