[cloche]

Get lucky by being born at the right time so that when a technological revolution starts, you're able to build up a monopoly-like position in the market. Ideally, you've prepared for this by working or studying the field for several years prior to it taking off. You have well-connected parents who are able to open doors for you and give you seed money so you can take risks without worrying about becoming destitute.

[SirSourdough]

I think this makes the economic circumstances which allow for a billion dollar company to be created sound rarer than they are.

There have been numerous technologies that have emerged or hit the mainstream in my adult life that have spawned multiple billion dollar companies. EVs/charging, renewables, crypto/fintech, much of “modern” social media, same day/last mile delivery, drones, etc. Probably at least a few that I don’t know exist. Looking back across the history of business and innovation in the 1900s, this doesn’t seem that anomalous.

I think the actionable framing of this is -

- Build skills that are transferable between different industries that allow you to take advantage of the areas of greatest opportunity as they emerge.

- Build a network of likeminded people with complimentary skills who are willing to take a flyer on opportunities with you.

- Make friends with people with money who will fund these efforts, or build a resume that will make you an appealing founder or very, very early employee to VCs.

I do think that the situation of your birth has a major impact on your ability to put yourself in this position - I’m less sure about the timing aspect.

[android521]

It is ridiculous that you make it sound like every one can be a billionaire if they are a bit lucky. If you have achieved anything great , you would know that personal ability and agency are much much more important

[SirSourdough]

I don’t think the implication was that everyone can be a billionaire with luck - rather that virtually nobody becomes a self-made billionaire without some (and often a lot of) luck.