A Leaders Guide: How to Save Your Tech Startup from the 63% Failure Trend

Sarrah Pitaliya
3 min readFeb 16, 2024

Stepping into the role of a startup owner is like entering a bustling casino. You might hit the jackpot, but there are also risks. It’s exciting, yet there’s a bit of worry about how things will turn out. It’s a journey full of ups and downs, regardless of the industry!

Tech startups are no exception. Running one is a thrilling ride, but did you know that almost 63% taste failure within the first five years? Sounds scary, but don’t fret; I’ve got your back.

In this comprehensive guide, I’ll delve into actionable strategies to steer clear of the failure scare. As a leader, you must be the captain who will guide your startup through turbulent waters.

From building a resilient team culture to making strategic decisions, I’ve got it all covered. This article brings you with essential determiners that ensure your tech startup not only survives but thrives.

Get set, go!

Take the Charge

As the owner of a startup, you’re responsible for navigating the highs and lows of your business. In this fast-paced and ever-changing tech industry, being flexible is vital. You’ve got to be quick on your feet, ready to pivot and adapt whenever the situation demands.

It’s all about staying ahead of the curve, embracing change, and seizing new opportunities as they arise. That’s how you keep your startup not just afloat but thriving amid constant evolution.

Identify Right Product/Solution

Tech startups often struggle because they don’t get the launch right — putting out the perfect tech product for the right people at the right time is the key. It’s like having a cool gadget but not showing it to the marketplace who would love it.

Understand the drill: Your product or solution should be what people really want and solve their problems, and not just be the newest tech thing. The way to go from a regular startup to a tech sensation is all about paying attention to what users truly want. Think of it as your startup’s super move!

Know how this African startup has skyrocketed to success with the power of a high-performing custom mobile application

Read the story

Building a Strong Tech Team

Tech evolves fast. Keep your focus on how to make your team agile, ready to embrace new technologies and navigate through unexpected changes.

A solid tech team isn’t just a group of experts — it’s a mix of diverse skills. In the ever-evolving tech market, continuous learning is key. Building a tech team that’s not just skilled but also flexible, ensures your startup is well-prepared for innovation and long-lasting success.

Embrace Outsourcing

Outsourcing empowers tech startups by providing cost-effective solutions and specialized expertise. It enables them to focus on core competencies, accelerates growth, and optimize resource allocation.

By leveraging external support, startups can navigate challenges efficiently, enhance flexibility, and achieve sustainable success in a competitive landscape.

Want to know how you can supercharge your Startup with Outsourcing Excellence?

Here is the drill

Placing the Right People in the Right Shoes

Building on the first point, in a tech startup, it’s super crucial to have the right people in the right roles from the top to the bottom. When things go south, you can always bring in disaster management. However, if you are a visionary leader, you will always have your Plan B ready before the storm hits.

A common mistake many tech startups make is having a Marketing person lead Sales or a tech expert handling support. To make a startup succeed, it’s essential to have the right people in the right jobs.

Conclusion

A startup must be quick and flexible, just like a person. The co-founders and the team need to be ready to switch plans fast — from Plan-A to Plan-B or Plan-C if Plan-A doesn’t work. You can’t just hope for a miracle; the competition is tough.

A smart entrepreneur leading a startup will see the need to switch plans for success. If not, it’s bad news for both the entrepreneur and the startup.

To conclude, if your startup succeeds, you’ll have an inspiring story. The startup world will see it as a guide to success. On the flip side, a failed startup has its own valuable story. It teaches aspiring entrepreneurs important lessons about success.

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Sarrah Pitaliya

VP Marketing at radixweb.com. Creating valuable insights that would help brands and businesses to enhance their sales growth.