The belief required to start a company that solves a massive, complex problem like communication isn't confidence, but a form of delusion. This mindset allows founders to persist through challenges that a more realistic person might abandon, especially when a problem seems fundamentally unsolvable.

The initial period of struggle and repeated failures, while painful, is what forges a resilient team and a strong, frugal company culture. These early hardships create shared experiences that define the company's DNA for years to come.

To build a resilient team during a tough economic period, CEO Sean Ainsworth prioritized finding people who deeply understood the 'why' behind the science and its patient impact. This created a committed core team that could navigate funding challenges when capital was scarce for unproven gene therapies.

Prepared's founder faced 'no's' from customers, investors, and parents. He persisted not because he was trying to build a company, but because of a stubborn, personal passion to solve a problem—believing he could make things 'slightly better' even if he ultimately failed.

CEO Christian Leisner identifies a single decision as a game-changing milestone: focusing their T-cell engagers on "clean but challenging" tumour antigens. He vividly recalls the meeting where this choice set a clear, relevant strategic direction that the company still follows years later.

A successful startup often resembles a cult, requiring a leader who communicates their vision with unwavering, first-person conviction. Hiding the founder behind polished PR spokespeople is a mistake; it neuters the contagious belief required to recruit talent and build a movement against impossible odds.

The origin of CNX wasn't a meticulously planned venture. The two co-founders were colleagues who, frustrated with their boss, impulsively quit their jobs together. The company was born out of that moment with no plan and no money, forcing them to be resourceful from day one.

Beyond the network and money, a key YC benefit is the profound psychological impact of having respected partners who genuinely believe in your mission. For a lonely early-stage founder, this support transforms the journey from a solitary struggle into feeling like they're "playing for the home team," which raises the stakes and boosts motivation.

The motivation to start a company wasn't about a guaranteed outcome but about embracing the ultimate test of one's capabilities. The realization that most founders, regardless of experience, are figuring it out as they go is empowering. It reframes the founder journey from a path for experts to a challenge for the determined.