a compelling business story for the rest of us

what people are saying

  • "...both inspiring and filled with real-world practical insights. His humility and vulnerability, as he delves into the founder’s experience, are captivating."

    Joe Morris - e.Republic Chief Innovation Officer

  • "Jon prioritizes doing right by the world. To anyone who shares a similar vision for what entrepreneurship can accomplish, I recommend this book. Big, small, or in between, there's a lot to learn."

    Aaron Anderson - UCD Student Startup Center Director

  • "It’s refreshing to see someone lay out the reality behind what looks like “success” from the outside."

    ClayBeaster

  • "What I appreciated most was how real the book felt—there’s no sugarcoating, just valuable lessons about grit, failure, and the perseverance it takes to make things happen."

    ClayBeaster

  • "Bravo. I hope more people in the industry, or those who have the entrepreneurial itch, find this and read it."

    Mathias Krainer

  • “What to expect when you are expecting, for a startup. As told from your tell-it-like-it-is best friend.”

    Elis

  • “Great book. Entertaining. It was really effective how he told his inspiration to become an entrepreneur through the story of Pondera. I hope he writes a lot of books because he's really good at it.”

    LMan

  • "What impresses me the most is Jon's self-deprecating humor coinciding with his self-confidence. Driven by passion and perseverance, this story is inspiring."

    Mathias Krainer

For those who want to grow a successful company, but may not be the next Steve Jobs, Jeff Bezos, or Elon Musk.

Excerpt from A Ten-Year Overnight Success

“In reality, my insides were imploding. I was riddled with self-doubt. I had nothing to show for myself other than dwindling savings and declining confidence. I was panicked. Indeed, by this time I had already passed my own point of no return.”

Meet the author

Jon Coss

Following a spectacularly unsuccessful tennis career, Jon landed a job at Oracle Corporation where he cut his teeth in technology. He would go on to start four technology companies, three of which were acquired and the fourth which he prefers not to talk about…

Inside the pages

Business Lessons

Jon shares unique and valuable lessons learned through his entrepreneurial journey in the hyper-competitive technology world. Lessons you won’t hear about in current business literature. Lessons for those who want to grow their startup companies, but can’t find relatable inspiration, or guidance in books about huge companies like Microsoft or Tesla whose success is unattainable to the vast majority of entrepreneurs.  Lessons learned in the trenches which may not make you the next Tesla, but are sure to grow your business.

Honest Storytelling

Stirringly real, Jon’s story-telling narrative combines soul-searching truths with self-deprecating humor. You'll hear Jon's inner thoughts as he navigates the often crippling and treacherous stages of a startup journey. It’s about an unlikely founder who inspires his team to go from an idea to a nine-figure exit. You’ll share his raw emotions through the “rise and fall of enthusiasm”, his months of desperation in the “desert of despair”, his tempered confidence through “wiggles of hope”, and his immense relief and sense of accomplishment marching toward the “Promised Land”.

Insider Insights

It’s a story about a company you’ve never heard of, but one that used computer algorithms to save the American taxpayer over $60 Billion in government pandemic relief fraud. You’ll experience Pondera’s inception at Google’s headquarters, where Jon first recognized the power of cloud computing and prediction algorithms. And you’ll journey through the ins and outs of securing contracts, how the press affects markets and opportunities, and how to evaluate potential acquirers.