FOUNDATION BEFORE FLIGHT

by Dr Abhishek Gilara

Every day, I meet ambitious startup founders pitching bold ideas, brimming with energy and dreams of becoming the next unicorn. Their passion is inspiring. Their enthusiasm is infectious.

But behind that spark, I often see a silent danger.

Many are racing toward success without laying the track to support their journey.

The Illusion of the Shortcut

We live in an age where startup success stories are glorified—books, interviews, Instagram reels, and TED Talks flood our feeds with tales of overnight growth and billion-dollar valuations. For many young founders, these stories become the playbook—except they’re only reading the final chapter.

What they miss is the most critical part: the beginning.

I see too many diving into execution without understanding the fundamentals—technical know-how, legal compliance, team building, or financial discipline. They skip the learning phase, assuming they’ll figure it out on the go.

This isn’t just a gamble—it’s a setup for failure.

The Reality of Building Something That Lasts

A startup isn’t built on inspiration alone. It's built on a foundation—and that means:

Learning the business basics: not just flashy marketing terms, but understanding unit economics, regulatory obligations, and operational mechanics.
Getting your hands dirty: working under seasoned entrepreneurs, learning from their scars, their process, and their patience.
Facing failure early: Making small mistakes when the stakes are low, so you’re better equipped when real challenges arrive.

Skipping this process is like trying to construct a skyscraper on loose sand. Sure, it may rise—but it won’t stay up.