Startup Lessons from Teachers' Day: 5 Unexpected Lessons for Founders

On Teachers’ Day, we celebrate the wisdom imparted by educators who mold minds and inspire growth. For startup founders, learning is a never-ending process—one that extends far beyond classrooms and into the dynamic world of business. The entrepreneurial journey is full of lessons about markets, consumers, competition, and personal growth. Today, we explore five key learnings for startups, drawn from both real-world experiences and time-tested wisdom. 

The Entrepreneur's Guide to Success: 5 Tips from Startup Teachers

1. The First Quality of an Entrepreneur: Action

Identifying a gap in the market is easy; acting on it is where most fall short. While many people recognize opportunities, only a select few—true founders—decide to act and solve the problem. The majority fail, but this doesn't stop them from trying again. Building a startup is a difficult journey fraught with risks, uncertainty, and setbacks. Genuine founders, however, are those who persevere and keep pushing toward solving real-world problems despite the obstacles.

2. For Genuine Founders, Competition is Fuel

Once you’ve spotted a gap, don’t let competition deter you. Investors are more interested in backing smart, hardworking founders with conviction than worrying about the market’s competition. The Indian travel luggage industry is a perfect example. Despite fierce competition, multiple Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) startups have thrived:

• Mokobara raised $12M in February
• EUME raised $1.7M in June
• Nasher Miles raised $4M in July
• Uppercase raised $9M in August

This $2 billion industry is growing at 15% annually, creating ample opportunities for founders willing to take the plunge. Competition motivates innovation and excellence, driving founders to outperform.

3. Valuation is More Than Just an Idea

A common misconception among first-time founders is the value placed on their startup. When an investor agrees to invest ₹5 crore at a ₹40 crore pre-money valuation, that figure represents more than just the idea—it includes the product, expertise, and any capital already invested. For example, if you and your co-founder have invested ₹2 crore in the company, that capital is factored into the equity when an investor injects fresh funds. The goal of venture capital is to grow the business, not to repay founder loans or fund personal ambitions.

4. Vanity Projects Lead to Failure

One of the most common pitfalls for founders is the belief that after raising capital, they still own 100% of their company. This mindset often leads to the misuse of investor funds for personal projects rather than business growth. When you take an investor’s money, you accept a shared responsibility for the company. If you’re unwilling to treat investors as partners, it’s better to bootstrap and retain full control. Successful founders understand the importance of accountability, using capital to scale the business, not for self-indulgence.

5. Prioritizing at Different Stages of Growth

The responsibilities of a founder change at different stages of a startup’s growth:

• Pre-Seed: Focus on product development and securing initial funding.
• Seed Stage: Focus shifts to early revenue and customer acquisition, with fundraising as a secondary goal.
• Series A: Hiring becomes crucial, alongside managing sales and investor relations.
• Series B: Retaining top talent takes priority, as the core product and sales teams are already in place.

Many startups don’t hire a full-time CFO until they’ve reached Series B, leaving founders to handle fundraising and investor relations in the early stages. As Paul Graham famously said, "Startups = Growth." Founders must remember that growth—not vanity—should always be the primary focus.

Startup Success Secrets: From Teacher to Founder

On this Teachers’ Day, startup founders can take a page from the educators’ playbook: learning is a continuous process. The entrepreneurial path is filled with lessons, and those who embrace challenges and learn from setbacks are the ones who ultimately succeed. Much like education, the startup journey requires adaptability, perseverance, and a commitment to growth. True success lies not in the capital raised but in the learning gained along the way.

Disclaimer: This article draws inspiration from various LinkedIn posts by Pushkar Singh, Co-Founder of Tremis Capital. Pushkar is renowned for his workshops that guide founders in the process of raising capital.