Aspiring founders often mistakenly believe that the first step to starting a company is to create a pitch for investors, but the first step should be identifying who you want to work with and what you want to build.

Founders often need to build conviction in their own ideas before seeking validation from others, including investors.

The team you build initially is the company you build; it's crucial to have the right values aligned with your team and investors.

You should focus on creating something that people want rather than just trying to start a startup; this mindset is crucial for success.

It's crucial to personally want the solution you are building and to know others who want it as well; otherwise, you risk creating something that nobody cares about.

Building relationships with investors is crucial. It's important to keep talking to potential investors even when you don't need their money, as they will build conviction in your company over time.

The first time I founded a company, I was overly concerned about what others thought, including my team and investors. The second time, I focused on building something that people genuinely wanted.

In startup customer acquisition, the idea that 'if you build it, they will come' is often false; you need to actively find your audience.

A good investor will listen to your pitch and envision the potential success of your startup, rather than just poking holes in your idea.