Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future

Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future

by Peter Thiel with Blake Masters

Zero to One challenges conventional thinking about innovation, competition, and business success. Written by Peter Thiel, co-founder of PayPal and early investor in Facebook, this book explores how true progress comes not from copying what already exists, but from creating something entirely new.

Thiel introduces a powerful idea: moving from “0 to 1” means building something original, while going from “1 to n” simply means improving what’s already there. The most successful companies don’t compete in crowded markets—they create their own space.

Drawing from Thiel’s experience as an entrepreneur and investor, the book offers practical insights on startups, technology, leadership, and long-term thinking. It encourages readers to question assumptions, think independently, and look for opportunities others overlook.

In this book, you’ll learn:

Why innovation matters more than competition

How great companies create unique value

Why the future belongs to original thinkers

How to spot hidden opportunities in business and technology

Zero to One is essential reading for entrepreneurs, founders, leaders, and anyone interested in building meaningful products, companies, or ideas that shape the future.