The Funding Landscape: A Daunting Start
The startup world is vast, with over 150 million ventures globally. Every year, more than 6.5 million new startups are created globally, but fewer than 20,000 of them secure venture funding.
For first-time founders, especially those operating outside the well-trodden networks of Silicon Valley or Ivy League alumni, the challenges are even steeper. Limited access to prestigious networks forces many to bootstrap their way forward, often at the cost of growth and scalability. The funding world, increasingly selective and cautious, has little room for those without an established track record. First-time founders face unique barriers, often underestimating the importance of network building and the intricacies of the investment landscape.
This exclusivity leaves most founders invisible to investors. With less than 1% of startups globally gaining visibility, the majority of deals investors encounter are often overvalued companies from established networks or top-tier accelerators. The rest are left to struggle in obscurity, …