At Seattle Flow Startup Day 2026, Eric Ries unveiled insights about his forthcoming book, “Incorruptible: Why Good Companies Go Bad and How Great Companies Stay Great.” This event, attended by numerous startup founders, marked his return to the conference he had previously keynoted in 2011. Ries, renowned for his influential work “The Lean Startup,” reflected on his earlier assertion regarding the tools needed to create impactful businesses.
While discussing the evolution of the tech industry, he expressed regret over a missed opportunity in his original work. He stated he would modify his initial declaration to include “for the better,” acknowledging the changing landscape since 2011. Ries emphasized that the traditional concept of profit—revenue minus expenses—fails to capture the true essence of business success. Instead, he proposes a redefined notion of profit focused on maximizing human flourishing.
Ries explained that his use of the term "corruption" refers to structural decay within organizations rather than unethical practices. His new book aims to address how companies can avoid this erosion, utilizing historical case studies to illustrate the challenges they face and the strategies that can lead to sustained success.