Dimitriy V. Masterov, a fractional tech economist with over 20 years of experience, joins me to discuss how causal inference and economic strategies can revolutionize decision-making in startups and beyond. Dimitriy shares his journey from working with major companies like Domino’s, eBay, and Thumbtack to pioneering innovative solutions in early-stage marketplaces as a fractional chief economist.

We delve into the practical applications of economics, from monetization strategies and pricing models to understanding the nuanced role of causal inference in solving business problems.

Where to find Dimitriy

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dimitriy-masterov
Website: https://www.mylance.co/frace


Where to find Ida

Website: https://idajohnsson.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ida-johnsson/
X: https://twitter.com/IdaBJohnsson

Expect to learn about:

- The difference between causal inference and machine learning in solving business problems
- How early-stage startups can leverage economists to refine monetization and growth strategies
- Real-world examples of marketplace experimentation and marketing measurement
- Why startups often overlook the power of causal thinking—and how to change this

Timestamps

00:00 Preview
01:14 Intro
06:16 Causal inference vs. ML
09:29 Working as a Fractional Economist
11:27 Can you trust causal estimates?
14:40 Measuring marketing effectiveness
18:27 Do startups need economists?
24:18 Do people know enough about causal inference?
25:19 Working as an entrepreneur
30:50 Job search tips
35:14 Impact of AI
37:51 Manager vs. IC track
40:47 Economists' business intuition