I recently wrote a post about how too many startups who dream of creating disruptive consumer products, instead, compromise on their vision and build B2B software because they see it as a path to short-term revenue.

Imagine if Uber and Netflix built software for their competitors (Taxi and Blockbuster, respectively) instead of DISRUPTING them.

The post went viral (See a link to the original post in the comments)

But HOW do some companies do this while so many others can't?

To build disruptive companies, it takes...

Clear vision with first-principles thinking
Effective, high-quality execution with a take-no-prisoners attitude (which includes building an incredible end-user-facing product for end-users)
Smart capital to fund Research & Development and Go-to-market

Smart capital liberates companies from having to focus on small-scale, short-term revenue. Instead, they get to focus on full-stack disruption and owning the end user.

However, this can often feel like a Catch-22.

How do you get the smart VC money so you can be liberated to think about your end-user-facing business vision?

As a result, many founders give up before they even start. They compromise and pivot straight to a B2B business right out of the gate.

But it's not a Catch-22.

As a founder, you must have a clear vision rooted in first-principles thinking and demonstrate high-quality execution to THEN attract smart money.

If you pitch a compromised B2B strategy, you will raise money from compromised B2B minded VCs.

This is your reminder:

Craft a compelling narrative that fires the imagination - believe it!
Recruit a "coalition of the willing" - investors and advisors who believe in your disruptive idea
Build the product and business you want to see in the world
Knock on hundreds or thousands of doors until you get enough "Yes"s to unlock your dream and change the world

Don't be the one to compromise and kill your dream before you even get started.

Believe in it - and find others who believe in it too.

#startups #fundraising #startupsnippets #venturecapital #founders