We started with many assumptions about technology and our company structure, and we learned from being wrong.

The most common mistake founders make is building something that doesn't solve a real problem for users, often resulting in a solution in search of a problem.

We got caught in the mindset of being just a platform company, which limited our ability to innovate and adapt to new market demands.

Initially, we thought we were on the path to success, but I later realized that we were not converting users into paying customers because we were too focused on fundraising and PR instead of creating a product that people actually needed.

We initially started a company based on a bad idea, trying to create a wiki for stock research, but it never took off, which is common in consumer businesses where success can feel random.

We decided to create our own hardware device instead of licensing our technology, believing we could do it better ourselves. Building consumer hardware as a startup was considered totally insane in the early 2000s, with very few successful examples to follow.

Young founders often prioritize what investors want over solving problems they genuinely care about, which can hinder their potential.

Building technology first and then finding a problem to solve later can lead to success, as demonstrated by Bolt's journey from near shutdown to a leading AI coding product.

First-time founders often make the mistake of solving problems they don't care about, which can lead to a loss of motivation and ultimately failure.