Most of the startup founders I met have no vision, but I have not met even a single founder with incorrect vision.
In the bustling world of startups, I’ve had the privilege of meeting countless founders—bright, driven individuals striving to bring their ideas to life. But one striking observation has stuck with me: most founders have no vision. It’s not that they lack intelligence, creativity, or perseverance. They have brilliant ideas, innovative solutions, and sometimes even a groundbreaking product. Yet, there’s an absence of that unshakeable guiding force, that bigger-picture perspective that keeps them anchored through the chaotic and unpredictable startup journey.
Oddly enough, I’ve never met a founder with an incorrect vision. This may sound contradictory at first, but bear with me.
The Difference Between Having No Vision and an Incorrect Vision
No vision doesn’t mean that a founder has no direction. They might know exactly what problem they’re solving and the market they’re targeting, but they often lack the deeper clarity about the long-term impact they want to create or the profound why behind their company. In contrast, having an incorrect vision implies that a founder is misguided, perhaps chasing the wrong goals or seeking solutions that don’t align with market realities.
But here’s the paradox: there are no “incorrect” visions. In every founder I’ve met, I’ve noticed that once they have a vision, no matter how radical or unconventional, it’s deeply personal, aligned with their identity, and often linked to a real need or belief. Even if the path they choose seems impractical or too ambitious, it’s their truth, and it often sparks genuine passion and dedication. You cannot fault someone for pursuing a future they believe in.
Why Most Founders Lack a Vision
The absence of vision usually stems from the pressure to chase short-term wins. Startups, especially in their early stages, are notorious for being stuck in the grind—raising funds, scaling quickly, hitting growth targets. In this environment, it’s easy for founders to become reactionary, focusing on immediate goals and metrics rather than stepping back and asking, What does the world look like if we succeed?
Vision isn’t about how your product performs or what your next milestone is. It’s about asking fundamental questions like:
- How will my work change lives or reshape industries?
- What greater purpose does my company serve?
- How will my success alter the status quo?
Answering these questions helps founders stay grounded. Without a clear vision, even the most brilliant founders can feel lost, their decisions dictated by external pressures instead of being led by an internal compass.
The Power of Having a Vision
Here’s the magic: when a founder does have a vision, everything aligns. The vision provides clarity, a sense of purpose that drives all decision-making. It’s not about whether a vision is achievable immediately or whether others agree with it; it’s about how it fuels perseverance, inspires teams, and allows founders to navigate the inevitable highs and lows of their journey.
For instance, the founders of companies like SpaceX or Tesla have a vision that may have sounded absurd at one point—to colonize Mars or revolutionize the auto industry. But these visions weren’t “incorrect.” They were bold, and they kept those founders focused on the big picture despite setbacks and challenges.
Why There’s No “Incorrect” Vision
Having an incorrect vision implies there’s a “right” or “wrong” way to view the future, which simply isn’t the case in the entrepreneurial world. Visionaries throughout history have been ridiculed for being too ambitious, too risky, or too far ahead of their time. Yet, without their audacity, the world wouldn’t have the innovations and transformations we benefit from today.
It’s important to remember that vision is not about predicting the future. It’s about shaping it. Founders with vision create their own reality by being persistent and believing in the world they are striving to build.
My Vision as a Founder
In my own journey as a founder, I’ve come to realize that vision is the foundation of everything. I’m building a company not just to solve immediate problems but to reshape how people experience connection and belonging. MindcloneAI, for example, is about using AI to fundamentally improve how people interact with the digital world by creating hyper-personalized digital realms. My vision is to make humanity happier and more fulfilled by connecting people in a way that feels true to their identities and aspirations.
This vision informs every decision I make. It’s my compass when challenges arise, reminding me why I started this journey in the first place.
In Conclusion
Most founders I’ve met struggle with having a vision, not because they lack the ability but because they get caught up in the present. Yet, no founder I’ve ever met with a clear vision has been on the wrong path, regardless of how unconventional or lofty their goals may seem.
Having a vision doesn’t guarantee success, but it does provide the why behind the startup hustle. Without it, founders may succeed, but they’ll likely find themselves unsure of where they’re headed in the long run. With it, even if they fail, they do so knowing they pursued something meaningful and transformative.
As founders, we should all strive to not just have an idea but a vision—one that shapes the future and creates a lasting impact.
LIFE 3H by Alok Gotam 