There was a time—not too long ago—when “growth” was the only word that mattered in startup rooms. Not healthy growth. Not sensible growth. Just growth. Faster. Bigger. Louder. And to be honest, it worked. For a while. Founders chased month-on-month spikes like caffeine shots. Burn rates were justified with future promises. Profits? That was “later.” […]
Let’s say this upfront.No, startups aren’t firing people en masse every week anymore. Not loudly, at least. But if you look closely — and I mean really look — something else is happening. Something quieter. Slower. Almost polite. Roles are disappearing without anyone being “laid off.”Teams are shrinking without farewell emails.Costs are getting cut without […]
Not too long ago, every founder conversation started the same way. “So… what’s your valuation now?” It was the flex question. The scoreboard. The thing that decided who was “winning.” But lately? That question feels awkward. Almost outdated. Now the real conversations happen off-stage. Over coffee. In late-night WhatsApp chats. In quiet voice notes where […]
