Over the past few days, I’ve spoken with a few founder friends navigating tough moments whether due to delayed decisions, shifting investor priorities, or simply the weight of the unknown. One shared that a VC had backed out of a deal at the last minute. His question was simple: What now?
My response : pause, don’t panic. Stay put for a couple of weeks. The investor may have had their own compulsions. This isn’t the time for hasty decisions.
These conversations reminded me that whether it’s a funding slowdown, a team-level crisis, or a blue swan event, our first responsibility as founders is to respond, not react.
Here’s a set of principles I shared and believe they apply to any period of uncertainty:
• Stay calm and grounded
• Avoid emotionally driven or rushed decisions
• Refrain from launching large new initiatives when visibility is low
• Conserve cash, it’s your startup’s oxygen
• Focus on what’s within your control
• Lead with empathy, clarity, and trust
Startups are a marathon, not a sprint.
Uncertainty can test resilience but it also brings clarity. Let’s use that clarity to build stronger institutions, wiser leadership, and deeper conviction.
#HarRaatKeBaadSavera, these times always pass.
Would love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
Stay blessed and may courage always be by your side.
May 2025