The Formula Startups Use to Make Billions (Infographic) Startup organization Funders and Founders pulled back the veil on the startup lifecycle in this infographic, which was inspired by legendary investor Paul Graham's famous essay, 'How to Start a Startup.'

By Catherine Clifford

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

From thousands of miles away, Silicon Valley can feel like a magic box: normal people enter and out pop billionaires. But the startup ecosystem is much like the Wizard of Oz, where, when you pull back the green curtain, there stands a man.

There's actually a fairly systematic process behind the formation, growth and financial success of many startups. Which is not to say that it is a fool's errand to launch a successful startup and grow it into a billion-dollar company, but only to say that it has been done, and there is a worn path and a mature ecosystem surrounding this routine.

Related: How This CEO Combined a For-Profit and Nonprofit and Made Both Better For It

San Francisco-based startup organization Funders and Founders generated the infographic below, breaking down the way an entrepreneur goes from idea generation through to initial public offering. The infographic is based loosely based on famous programmer and venture capitalist Paul Graham's essay "How to Start a Startup."

Take a look to get a clearer picture of what goes on in the big black box that is Silicon Valley. Behind the green curtain.

Click to Enlarge+
The Formula Startups Use to Make Billions (Infographic)

Related: This Billionaire Just Gave 10 Startups $100,000 Each on a Whim

Catherine Clifford

Senior Entrepreneurship Writer at CNBC

Catherine Clifford is senior entrepreneurship writer at CNBC. She was formerly a senior writer at Entrepreneur.com, the small business reporter at CNNMoney and an assistant in the New York bureau for CNN. Clifford attended Columbia University where she earned a bachelor's degree. She lives in Brooklyn, N.Y. You can follow her on Twitter at @CatClifford.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Business News

'Pre-Boarding Scam': Customers Furious at Southwest Airlines After 20 Passengers Ask For Wheelchair Assistance to Board

A viral tweet is slamming the airline's wheelchair policy for boarding and disembarking.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Science & Technology

How AI Is Turning High School Students Into the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs

As AI reshapes education, students are turning school problems into products and building the future economy.

Health & Wellness

How Entrepreneurs Can Master Resilience and Protect Their Mental Health

Burnout isn't the badge of honor it used to be. Resilient founders learn how to stay clear-headed, creating and calm to keep their business — and sanity — intact.

Starting a Business

The Hardest Parts of Being a Solopreneur (and How I've Learned to Handle Them)

Solopreneurship is on the rise, offering us freedom and independence — but lasting success depends on tackling its unique challenges with strategy.