throwback to my failed venture backed startup in 2021 as a first time founder → raised $4.5m to build crypto gaming guild + software → we invested heavily into in-game assets (nfts) → market tanked, we pivoted to community software → struggled to gain enough traction → then returned remaining funds to investors lootsquad failing is still the most humbling experience of my career i used to think i was a loser and no fund would ever back me again, now i wear that failure as a badge, it taught me a ton, it's a part of my journey learn, get better, grow, there's always another swing of the bat. next time, ill be more than ready.

things i would do differently knowing what i know now → take full accountability when things go wrong → communicate better w my team and investors → seek more validation from customers/consumers not just high level outlooks → pivot more and ship more → be a much better listener, to the market, and to my team → seek PMF until my eyes bleed failures are a part of the game, losing is learning, but when you win, it's hyperbolic!

also i look back at it and am incredibly thankful to the funds and angels who backed me i always said that if i raise for another vc opp im setting aside some equity for funds to took a bet on me and lost it won't be my last run at venture