The Upstarts, How Uber, Airbnb, and the Killer Companies of the New Silicon Valley Are Changing the World

Disruption on Demand: How The Upstarts Redefined Modern Business

Book Summary:

The Upstarts: How Uber, Airbnb, and the Killer Companies of the New Silicon Valley Are Changing the World is a gripping narrative by Brad Stone that charts the meteoric rise of two of the most revolutionary companies of the 21st century—Uber and Airbnb. With the precision of a seasoned journalist and the pacing of a thriller, Stone reveals how these startups defied the odds and regulations to transform how people move and stay around the world. This is more than just a business book—it’s a chronicle of cultural and economic upheaval.

Drawing on exclusive interviews with founders Travis Kalanick and Brian Chesky, as well as key investors and insiders, Stone offers a front-row seat to the chaos, ambition, and brilliance that shaped the sharing economy and Silicon Valley’s second wave of innovation.

What You’ll Discover in the Book:

Inside The Upstarts, you’ll discover how Uber and Airbnb challenged social norms, outmaneuvered regulators, and redefined modern entrepreneurship. You’ll learn about the personalities behind the brands, the controversial decisions they made, and how these companies scaled rapidly while navigating backlash, lawsuits, and internal power struggles. The book dives into the balance between visionary leadership and ethical gray zones in building a billion-dollar empire.

Why You Should Read This Book:

If you’re curious about how today’s tech giants got their start, or you want a deeper understanding of what it takes to launch and lead a disruptive startup, The Upstarts is an essential read. It’s perfect for entrepreneurs, tech enthusiasts, business strategists, and anyone fascinated by the changing face of capitalism. Brad Stone brings clarity to the chaos and controversy that defines our digital age and the businesses shaping it.

About the Author:

Brad Stone is a bestselling author and senior executive editor for global technology at Bloomberg News. Known for his investigative depth and storytelling style, he is the author of The Everything Store and Amazon Unbound, critically acclaimed books on Jeff Bezos and Amazon. Stone has won multiple journalism awards and is regarded as one of the leading chroniclers of Silicon Valley’s rise. He lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with his family.