OnboardingEmerging Pattern

Physically install your product on customer devices the moment they express interest to eliminate activation delay

Instead of sending a link or follow-up email when someone agrees to try your product, immediately set it up for them on their device. This eliminates the gap between interest and activation where most potential users drop off. Named the 'Collison installation' after Stripe's founders who would say 'give me your laptop' and integrate Stripe on the spot.

When to use

When your product requires technical integration and you're acquiring your first 10-100 users through personal relationships

Don't do this

Sending follow-up emails with setup instructions and hoping prospects complete the integration on their own

1 Founder Who Did This

1
Stripeby Patrick Collison

When anyone agreed to try Stripe, the Collison brothers would say 'Right then, give me your laptop' and integrate Stripe on the spot. This technique became so famous it was named the 'Collison installation' at Y Combinator

Result:First 20+ customers acquired and activated immediately through YC network. Zero dropout between interest and integration. Technique became a YC best practice for developer tools
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