Sarah Lacy

Sarah Lacy is an independent journalist and author, with a long history of trailblazing coverage of the tech industry. She is the founder of technology news website Pando, an editor-at-large at TechCrunch, co-host of the bi-monthly professional development event Grit SF, and a sought-after speaker on topics related to technology, business, and the media.

Sarah Lacy has written several critically acclaimed books on technology, the business world, and digital culture. In her 2018 book, The Golden Passport: Harvard Business School, the Limits of Capitalism, and the Moral Failure of the MBA Elite, Lacy drew on her experience as a journalist to examine the history, operations, and legitimacy of the MBA elite at Harvard Business School. She argued that the school is well past its prime, and that the current crop of students only reinforce a broken system of privilege and exclusivity, with little real-world value to show for it.

In her 2016 book, Once You're Lucky, Twice You're Good: The Rebirth of Silicon Valley and the Rise of Web 2.0, Lacy uses her tech industry knowledge and history of Business 2.0 magazine to chart the course of the development of Silicon Valley from the Digital Age to the modern era. She argues that the old model of the “Silicon Valley Dream” has been replaced by a new model of Web 2.0 whereby anyone can start a digital business and quickly become successful.

Lacy’s 2013 book, Brilliant, Crazy, Cocky: How the Top 1% of Entrepreneurs Profit From Global Chaos, is her most personal and ambitious book, based upon her observation that entrepreneurs in the technology and internet industry have become increasingly ambitious and successful in recent years. Drawing on her years of experience covering the world of start-ups and venture capital, Lacy outlines the nine distinct traits that separate the top 1% of entrepreneurs from the rest, and suggests that those seeking success in the digital age can benefit from learning these traits.

Lacy has also written several nonfiction books about the technology industry, each with a laser-sharp focus on specific aspects of the industry. In her 2018 book Alpha Dogs: How Your Small Business Can Become a Leader of the Pack, she examines the behaviors and approaches of successful technology founders, providing readers with actionable strategies they can use to build a profitable technology business. Similarly, in her 2017 book, A Uterus is a Feature, Not A Bug: The Working Woman's Guide to Overthrowing the Patriarchy, Lacy speaks to the unique challenges women must overcome to succeed in the tech industry and their careers, offering both inspiration and practical advice for women looking to level the playing field in their professional lives.

In addition to her books, Lacy has also written for numerous publications, including the San Francisco Chronicle, Fast Company, Newsweek, and the Washington Post. She has been featured in a variety of television and radio shows, including CNN and NPR, and in 2017 was named one of the “Silicon Valley 50” by San Francisco Business Times.

Lacy’s work and passion for the tech industry have earned her considerable respect and admiration. Through her books, she has inspired many and served as a role model for aspiring entrepreneurs, providing a thoughtful and inspiring perspective on the tech industry and the role of women in it. Her voice and insights represent an important part of the ever-changing generation of tech thought-leaders, and her lasting legacy continues to be a source of inspiration and motivation for many.