The a16z Show · Friday, July 17, 2026
Amjad Masad, CEO of Replit, emphasized the critical role of storytelling for founders, suggesting that without it, companies like his might not have survived. He shared that Replit's growth was significantly aided by his public communication efforts, which built a narrative larger than the company itself.
“Yeah, I think Replit would have probably died if I wasn't telling a story that is larger than the company itself.”
“The company wasn't successful commercially, but we've been very successful at fundraising, recruiting, and I think if you build a company that's successful right out of the gate commercially, you might not need to do all of that.”
“But if you're trying to meme a dream into reality, I think you have to play that game.”