I have recently been thinking about the founder market realities, in some markets founders are solving problems faced by individuals and businesses today but I am seeing some markets that are taking fundamental bets on what the future looks like; I have seen how certain markets bet on a future that is 10-20 years ahead and do everything to make that future come alive: changing policies/regulations to see this future come to reality.
These markets have created an environment that ensures that people are thinking and redefining what the future will look like; it is a market that allows individuals to try crazy, weird and uncommon ideas while accessing the capital and users willing/able to try/afford these ideas/solutions.
This has created a loop where the on-the-edge markets have investors, founders and ecosystems that are taking big bold bets on uncommon problems while the other market is focused on solving foundational problems; again this is not a problem in itself the interesting thing I am noticing is that for founders dealing with both realities investors in more mature markets while customers are in more developing markets; they have to balance the narrative of their business between their investors and customers: I think there is a delicate balance here to maintain as it is two completely different and sometimes opposing realities.
Markets are not equal both from an investor and customer perspective and as founders you need to keep this in mind for the business you are building; investor and consumer behaviour in San Francisco, New York, Dubai, London and Lagos are miles apart that even with the best of intentions innovations created in these markets all respond differently.
In one market the ecosystem will enable it to thrive and grow while it will die in another not because of the competency of the team or the quality of the idea/innovation but of the environment it is in. Our environments have such a powerful influence in every aspect of our lives, which is also reflected in the businesses we build.
Your goal is to build in and for a market that can support and sustain your innovations especially in the early stages to give it room to gain a footing from which you can consider exploring other markets: essentially where you are based may not be the best market for your innovation from a customer or investor perspective if you are raising capital.
The journey is long and hard, if you can: build in a market that is the right environment to support and sustain your innovation.
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