Top 5 Books on Entrepreneurship to Inspire You in 2025

Explore the top 5 must-read books on entrepreneurship for 2025, including "The Hard Thing About Hard Things," "Atomic Habits," and more to fuel your entrepreneurial journey.

There are a few different ways to find the kind of inspiration you need. The entrepreneurship journey can sometimes feel long and enduring, so having a great source of inspiration can help prop you up on along the way. Some of the best people I know have often spoken about how a book helped shape and open up their perspective on what it means to do what they love. Before the year kicks in completely, we at WeWork Labs, thought it would be great to shed some light on some great reads that can help shape your entrepreneurial spirit for what’s to come.

Here are our top five picks on books that are related to entrepreneurship which come highly recommended by us!

1. The Hard Thing about Hard Things: Building a Business When There are No Easy Answers by Ben Horowitz

As the name would suggest, this book details the flipside of the founder's journey. While we are so used to seeing the success of founders play out in the dominating narrative about entrepreneurship, what Ben Horowitz has been able to do with this book is shed light on the darker side of entrepreneurship—the focus on failures, hardships, and how to build the nerve to make the tough calls when it's necessary.

Key read: for founders, builders, and entrepreneurs in competitive environments.

2. Atomic Habits by James Clear

Image Source: Amazon

Atomic Habits is a must-read for entrepreneurs because it nails the essence of what drives long-term success: small, consistent actions. The entrepreneurial journey can largely be seen as a marathon, not a sprint, and this book does a great job of breaking down how tiny, incremental changes compound into massive results. Clear’s practical advice on building good habits and breaking bad ones is invaluable for anyone juggling the chaos of running a business.

Key read: for anyone working in startups, founders, senior executives

3. Bridgital Nation: Solving Technology's P: Solving Technology's People Problem by N Chandrasekaran and Roopa Purushothaman

Image Source: Amazon

This book is a must read for anyone working with technology. It offers a fresh perspective on how entrepreneurs can harness technology to address systemic challenges. Think of it like an essential guide to understand how technology can influence and solve problems that have long plagued society like gaps in accessibility, employment, and services, particularly in emerging markets. The book inspires entrepreneurs to build businesses that drive both economic value and societal impact, making it a must-read for those aiming to solve meaningful problems in transformative ways.

Key read: for those working with technology, product, engineering, and founders.

Related blog: Build successful startup with remote team

4. Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell

Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell is a must-read for entrepreneurs, plain and simple. It’s not your typical how-to business book, but it delivers something arguably more valuable—perspective. It shows that success isn’t just about working hard; it’s about working smart and leveraging the advantages you might not even realize you have. Gladwell’s storytelling makes it relatable, weaving together examples from tech legends like Bill Gates to professional athletes, and even the unique conditions that help create world-class musicians. It’ll have you thinking differently about your own journey and how to create the right conditions for your business to thrive.

Key read: for change-makers, founders, those working in startups 

5. Lean Startup by Eric Riles

It’s a cornerstone for modern entrepreneurship, especially if you’re building something in the startup world. Ries introduces the concept of the “Build-Measure-Learn” feedback loop, emphasizing the importance of testing ideas quickly and pivoting based on real customer feedback. More importantly, if you ‘re just starting out or building a side hustle, this book can teach you the discipline you need to stay on track. 

Key read: for freelancers, early-stage founders

What books have you seen as a source of inspiration? Let us know! See you in the next WeWork Labs blog.