Build for Users, Not Investors: Harsh Pokharna
As entrepreneurs, we often find ourselves caught up in the whirlwind of startup life. We’re constantly seeking validation, whether it’s through funding, media coverage, or social media attention. But amidst all the noise, it’s easy to lose sight of what truly matters: the people who matter most – our users.
OkCredit CEO Harsh Pokharna knows this struggle firsthand. Despite raising a whopping ₹120 crore, he’s been through the highs and lows of entrepreneurship. In a recent interview with Ascendants, he shared a harsh reality check for startup founders: funding doesn’t guarantee stability. In fact, it can often distract us from what’s truly important – solving real customer problems.
The Dangers of Chasing Investor Hype
Pokharna’s message is a wake-up call for founders who’ve become too focused on chasing investor hype. He urges them to step back, take a deep breath, and refocus on their users. Why? Because, as he so candidly puts it, “funding doesn’t guarantee success.”
In today’s startup landscape, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of raising capital. We’re often told that securing funding is the key to unlocking success. But Pokharna’s experience is a stark reminder that this isn’t always the case.
Despite raising a significant amount of funding, OkCredit faced its fair share of challenges. The company struggled to validate its product-market fit, and it took extensive user feedback to finally get it right. Pokharna emphasizes that this experience has taught him the importance of staying mission-driven and ignoring trends.
Validate with Users, Not Investors
So, what can founders do to avoid this trap? According to Pokharna, the key is to validate with users, not investors. This means taking the time to truly understand your customers’ needs, pain points, and aspirations. It means building a product or service that solves real problems, rather than simply chasing the next big thing.
In an era where trends come and go, it’s easy to get lured into the hype cycle. But Pokharna’s advice is to stay focused on your mission, rather than getting distracted by fleeting trends. By doing so, you’ll build a product that truly adds value to your users’ lives, rather than simply trying to impress investors.
Success Comes from Purpose, Not Projections
Pokharna’s message is a powerful reminder that success comes from purpose, not projections. As founders, we’re often tempted to chase after projections and metrics, rather than focusing on the true value we’re creating. But by staying mission-driven and user-centric, we’ll build a company that truly makes a difference.
In an industry where attention spans are short and the competition is fierce, it’s easy to get caught up in the noise. But Pokharna’s experience is a testament to the power of staying focused on what matters most – the people who matter most.
Conclusion
As entrepreneurs, we have a choice to make. We can choose to chase after investor hype, or we can choose to focus on solving real customer problems. We can choose to build a product or service that adds value to people’s lives, or we can choose to build something that’s simply designed to impress.
Pokharna’s message is a wake-up call for startup founders to refocus on what truly matters. By building for users, not investors, we’ll create companies that truly make a difference. And in the end, that’s what it’s all about.
Source:
https://ascendants.in/founders-corner/harsh-pokharnas-wake-up-call-to-startup-founders/
