Sure Fire Growth Comes From A Targeted Mission

If I could summarize what I learned from founding four companies, it would be that the founding team must come together for a mission they believe in.

As investors, we can apply complex models to try to predict success, but the reality is that at the early stage, the best we can do is predict whether they will make it to the next round.

However, when there is a mission that significantly improves the probability of success.

Couple that with a team that can solve problems quickly to achieve the objective, and you may have something worthwhile.

The problem is that most companies pitching me do not have this. Most startups do not even think about it. They are too focused on the idea, product, or initial traction.

Why

I like to ask founders, seeking their first check, "Why do you want to start a company? "The answers are often product-related. They see an opportunity in the marketplace or have an interest in building something cool. However, that is not enough.

Drive

More than an excellent product is needed because many companies offer the opportunity to work on exciting projects while paying a salary. The real question is, why work on something without getting paid and then have to hand it over to others while you focus on building a company?

Purpose

Instead, founders need a purpose that creates an internal drive beyond a single goal. For example, if your purpose is to improve communities, you will focus on generating revenue that can be reinvested into those areas. That is what Movement Mortgage does.

Mission

The mission is related to the purpose but far more significant in scope. It cannot be some crap you write down to appease investors. The mission must be the reason you are on this earth. It must be big enough for others to fulfill their mission by participating in it.