Pay It Forward: The Alex Hormozi Guide to Gifting Startup Books
When entrepreneur Alex Hormozi released his latest book, he didn’t just break a world record for the most copies sold in 24 hours; he started a movement. His mission is to spread knowledge to entrepreneurs around the world, and he made a powerful request: he asked people to buy 20 copies and give them as gifts to other aspiring founders. It’s a philosophy of “paying it forward”—the idea that the best way to succeed is to share the wisdom that helped you.
This is not just a reading list; it’s a gift guide inspired by that mission. Each book has been selected as a perfect gift for an aspiring entrepreneur, containing a crucial piece of wisdom for their journey ahead.
Give the Gift of Wisdom, Delivered
Pay it forward with a book that can change someone’s trajectory. We can deliver these essential gifts right to their door, anywhere in Vietnam.
The Hard Thing About Hard Things by Ben Horowitz
The Gift of Brutal Honesty.
This is the book you give to prepare a new founder for the psychological reality of the job. Ben Horowitz doesn’t offer easy answers; he shares hard-won wisdom from the brink of failure. Gifting this book says, I respect you enough to tell you the truth. It’s going to be incredibly difficult, and here is a guide from someone who has been through it all.
- Author: Ben Horowitz
- Genre: Business / Leadership / Memoir
- Perfect for: Gifting to a founder who is just starting to face the real challenges of leadership.
Good to Great by James C. Collins
The Gift of a Timeless Framework.
While many startup books focus on the chaotic beginning, this book provides the blueprint for enduring success. Jim Collins and his team researched companies that made the leap from merely good to truly great, identifying the common factors that drove their success. Gifting this book gives a founder a long-term vision and a research-backed framework for building a company that lasts.
- Author: James C. Collins
- Genre: Business / Leadership / Management
- Perfect for: A founder who has found product-market fit and is starting to think about long-term strategy.
Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products by Nir Eyal
The Gift of a Powerful Product Model.
Every founder wants to build a product that users love and return to again and again. This book explains exactly how to do it. Nir Eyal presents the Hook Model, a four-step process for building customer habits. It’s a practical, actionable gift that can provide a founder with the psychological framework to dramatically improve their product’s user engagement.
- Author: Nir Eyal
- Genre: Business / Product Management / Psychology
- Perfect for: A founder who is deep in the product development or user growth phase.
Radical Candor by Kim Scott
The Gift of a Better Company Culture.
One of the hardest transitions for a founder is becoming a manager. This book provides a simple but powerful framework for giving feedback and building strong relationships with your team: Care Personally and Challenge Directly. Gifting this book provides a new leader with the tools to build a culture of open, honest, and effective communication—a true competitive advantage.
- Author: Kim Scott
- Genre: Leadership / Management
- Perfect for: A founder who is hiring their first employees and learning how to be a great boss.
Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson
The Gift of Inspiration.
Sometimes, a founder doesn’t need a framework; they need inspiration. This biography provides an unflinching look into the mind of one of history’s most iconic and demanding entrepreneurs. It’s a story of passion, intensity, and a relentless focus on product and design. Gifting this book is a way to inspire a founder to think bigger and to pursue their vision with unwavering conviction.
- Author: Walter Isaacson
- Genre: Biography / Business
- Perfect for: Any founder who needs a dose of inspiration and a reminder of what’s possible.
Looking for a Different Approach?
If you’d rather give a founder a guide based on their company’s current phase, check out The Founder’s Roadmap: The Right Book for Every Stage of Your Startup.
Pay It Forward
The startup community thrives on shared knowledge. Gifting one of these books is a powerful way to support a founder on their journey.
A Note of Thanks
This article was inspired by a conversation with one of our valued customers, Jack. He shared the incredible story of Alex Hormozi’s mission and reminded us that the spirit of “paying it forward” is what builds a great community.
In that same spirit, we dedicate this article to him and to all the entrepreneurs who share their knowledge and support others on their journey.