When advising early-stage companies, it's challenging to tell them they won't raise the funds they expect or execute their unrealistic spending plans for achieving product-market fit.

It's common for founders to feel paranoid about product-market fit, even when they reach significant revenue milestones.

Founders often face challenges in fundraising despite having paying customers, as investors may not understand the product's value.

It's crucial for startups to think harder about achieving product-market fit and to be honest about whether they have it, especially in uncertain economic times.

Founders often mistakenly believe that spending more money will help them achieve product-market fit faster, leading to frustration and distraction from their core objectives.

It's important for investors to challenge founders on their decisions, as this can lead to better outcomes and improvements in the startup's direction.

As a repeat founder, I believe it's crucial to avoid raising money too early; focus on achieving strong product-market fit before seeking investment.

As a founder, it's important to believe the 'no' from investors but not necessarily the reasons behind it, as they often lack transparency.

I once had to convince my co-founders to fund a startup because I believed in the founders' passion and scrappiness, even if the idea wasn't great at first. In early-stage evaluations, I look for founders who demonstrate hustle and a strong passion for their ideas, as the idea often evolves over time.