An 'atomic network', as described by Chen, is a small, initial network where businesses start to overcome the Cold Start Problem. These networks often start in a single city, college campus, or small beta tests at individual companies. They are smaller than entrepreneurs often think. For example, Uber's early atomic networks were not entire cities like San Francisco, but specific locations and times like '5pm at the Caltrain Station at 5th and King Street'. Once they succeed in these smaller networks, they gradually expand to conquer larger markets.
When a networked product launches, it faces a chicken-and-egg problem: people need to use it for it...
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