First Round Review
First Round Review

First Round Review

by First Round Capital

Weekly Free

In-depth company building advice from startup founders and operators. First Round Review delivers actionable insights from the people actually building companies, curated by First Round Capital.

About First Round Review

First Round Review has been publishing company building advice for over 10 years, featuring insights from founders and operators rather than investors. The content comes from people who have actually built companies. The publication is produced by First Round Capital but maintains editorial independence, focusing on practical advice that readers can apply immediately.

What Makes This Newsletter Unique

First Round Review publishes advice from company builders themselves, not investors speculating about what works. The in-depth interviews and practical frameworks come from founders who've faced the exact challenges readers face. The quality bar is exceptionally high — Gokul Rajaram calls it 'some of the best actionable content on the internet.'

Who Should Subscribe?

First Round Review is ideal for: - Startup founders at any stage - Operators building teams - Product and engineering leaders - Anyone considering starting a company - Executives wanting tactical frameworks If you're building a company and want advice from people who've done it, this is essential.

Content Format

Each edition includes: - In-depth interviews with founders - Actionable frameworks and templates - Career stories and paths to product-market fit - Curated weekly resources - Annual best-of roundups

Recent Newsletter Issues

View all archived issues
Feb 5, 2026

A new podcast from First Round: How the top 0.001% of scaleup execs operate

Listen to the first episode with Vercel’s COO

Jan 28, 2026

Mastering the skill of company-building, from Applied Intuition’s founder

The $15B vehicle intelligence company’s origin story

Jan 20, 2026

What cold-calling from a closet taught Gusto’s founder about PMF

A laser focus on what customers really want paid off.

Pricing & Subscription Options

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  • Full access to all content
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Our Take: Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Advice from actual builders, not investors
  • Exceptionally high quality bar
  • Practical, actionable frameworks
  • Free with no paywall
  • 10+ years of archives
  • Templates and tactical resources

Cons

  • Startup-focused, less relevant for large companies
  • Irregular publishing schedule
  • US/Silicon Valley perspective
  • Requires free membership

Frequently Asked Questions

Is First Round Review free?

Yes, First Round Review is completely free. You need a free membership to access the full archive.

Is First Round Review produced by the VC firm?

Yes, First Round Review is produced by First Round Capital, but the content focuses on advice from founders, not investors.

How often does First Round Review publish?

First Round Review publishes weekly, though the schedule can vary based on content quality standards.

What companies has First Round invested in?

First Round Capital has invested in Uber, Square, Notion, Roblox, and many other successful startups.

Can I contribute to First Round Review?

First Round Review primarily features founders and operators from First Round's network, but they occasionally feature external perspectives.

About the Author: First Round Capital

F

First Round Capital

First Round Capital is an early-stage venture capital firm that has invested in Uber, Square, Notion, Roblox, and many other successful companies. First Round Review is their editorial arm, publishing insights from the founders and operators in their portfolio and network.

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