Junior PM to CEO: Hacking My Way to the Top - Chapter 0 - How to start a venture

Before getting into the main topic, I must mention what Foundersbacker generally does: We turn agricultural waste into game-changing raw materials.

To kickstart your entrepreneurial journey, the first and most crucial step is shaping yourself into an entrepreneur. As MIT Professor Bill Aulet posits, there are three fundamental paths to achieving this transformation:

1. Mastery of Technology:

Statistically speaking: While 31% of tech startups survive after four years, achieving truly significant success is much rarer. Only 0.72% become "unicorns," and only 5% of investor-backed ventures generate substantial returns.

2. Market Savvy:

Statistics are harder to pin down for this path as success largely depends on identifying specific market needs and finding the right product-market fit. However, it's generally considered a less "risky" path compared to technology-driven ventures.

3. Passion as Fuel:

This is what I want to mention and elaborate in this series, which I would suggest passionate people to turn their passion into marketing insight so that they can start a venture with a market pull way.

Those are fantastic steps and a great way to kickstart your journey from PM to global CEO! Here are some additional thoughts and suggestions for each step:

1. Investing on Crowdfunding Platforms:

• Start small, diversify, and learn: Invest manageable amounts to understand the investor's perspective without jeopardizing your financial security.

• Focus on specific sectors or industries: Choose platforms related to your interests or future business goals for deeper insights.

• Connect with entrepreneurs: Engage with campaign owners and other investors to gather valuable lessons and learn from their experiences.

2. Market Pull from Corporate Opportunities:

There is an interesting website, that I found lately, and it's called Wazuko Crowd. 

There are also things you can do here: 

• Identify platforms beyond the one you mentioned: Research broader resources like open innovation platforms, corporate challenges, and government grants for diverse opportunities.

• Specialize in your niche: Hone your skills to tackle specific problem areas within your chosen industry for higher impact and recognition.

• Showcase your solutions: Actively participate in forums, conferences, and online communities where your expertise can attract potential clients.

3. Polishing Social Media Skills:

• Content is king: Plan your content strategy beyond just self-promotion. Offer valuable insights, industry analysis, and thought leadership pieces to build authority.

• Engage with diverse platforms: While LinkedIn is excellent for B2B, consider experimenting with other platforms like Twitter, YouTube, or industry-specific forums to reach wider audiences.

• Learn from the best: Study the social media strategies of successful CEOs and adapt them to your unique voice and brand.

In general, You have superpowers in your heart, like sparkly unicorn magic! But do you know the secret code to unlock them? It's called storytelling! Learn how to tell your sparkly idea in a way that makes everyone clap with excitement, just like your favourite superhero movie! Foundersbacker and Founder Institute are like friendly dragons who can teach you this code. So, hold tight to your sparkle, practice your story, and whoosh! Your superhero mission awaits!