Introduction
In a world where fast growth is often touted as the key to success, a new trend is emerging. The Slow and Steady Startup is gaining ground, proving that a deliberate approach to business can lead to lasting success. This startup philosophy prioritizes sustainability and stability over rapid expansion, and is changing the way we think about entrepreneurship.
There are a growing number of startups that are eschewing the “we want to make billions” business model in favor of one with an eye toward long-term sustainability.
There are a growing number of startups that are eschewing the “we want to make billions” business model in favor of one with an eye toward long-term sustainability. Some argue this approach is better for people, the environment and the economy.
Founder-led Slow and Steady Startups
While there are still plenty of investors who’d rather take their chances on a startup with an aggressive growth rate, there’s no denying that founder-led startups have been on the rise over the past few years. According to CB Insights, 8% of all venture capital investments globally went to founder-led companies in 2016—a significant jump from 6% in 2015 and up from just 3% in 2010.Say’s David Woroboff, While there are still plenty of investors who’d rather take their chances on a startup with an aggressive growth rate, there’s no denying that founder-led startups have been on the rise over the past few years. According to CB Insights, 8% of all venture capital investments globally went to founder-led companies in 2016—a significant jump from 6% in 2015 and up from just 3% in 2010.
More and more companies are being built with the idea that they will take off slowly, but steadily.
More and more companies are being built with the idea that they will take off slowly, but steadily. Founders are taking a long-term view of their businesses, building sustainable businesses instead of trying to be the next Facebook or Apple overnight.
Instead of trying to grow quickly and lose focus on what made them successful in the beginning, founders are building businesses that last for decades rather than years.”
With this approach, founders aren’t trying to build companies that will be sold for billions within a few years.
One of the biggest reasons for this slow and steady approach is that founders aren’t trying to build companies that will be sold for billions within a few years. Instead, they’re building businesses with staying power—the kind of companies that can last decades.
This isn’t an easy thing to do in today’s startup market, where investors are always looking for the next big thing and expecting their investments to pay off quickly. But it’s something that VCs should be doing more often: investing in startups whose founders have a long-term vision and know how to execute on it over time.
It’s more about building businesses that last for decades.
A business that can be run for decades is a business with a long-term vision. You need to be able to sell your product or service for years, decades even, and continue making money from it if you want it to become successful.
What’s the difference between building a one-year startup and building a 20-year startup? The difference lies in what kind of company you want to build. If your goal is just to make fast money, there are plenty of ways that can be done without taking much risk—but if you’re trying to build something real and lasting, then there has never been more demand than today for companies that offer better services than their competitors at competitive prices while being good at heart as well
Conclusion
The slow and steady approach to startups is certainly one that many people can get behind. It’s a much less risky way of doing business, which means there’s a lot less risk of failure or bankruptcy. It also encourages companies to focus on what they’re doing now rather than trying to predict what will happen in the future. This means founders can spend less time worrying about whether their company will take off and more time working on making sure it does.
