Learn the why behind starting a startup.
Before writing code or raising money, every founder has to decide —
should I actually start a startup?
This module explores that decision through the lens of Y Combinator’s founders,
with insights from Paul Graham, Harj Taggar, and other YC partners.
You’ll unpack the real motivations, tradeoffs, and psychological demands
behind the decision to build something from scratch.
- The core motivations that drive successful founders (and the ones that don’t).
- Why resilience is more valuable than confidence or credentials.
- How to recognize when it’s the right time to start — or when to wait.
- How to turn curiosity and side projects into conviction.
- The risks and rewards of leaving big tech jobs (FAANG vs. startup).
- The mindset shift from employee → builder → founder.
- There’s no single archetype for founders — great ones look very different.
- Early motivation doesn’t need to be perfect; it evolves through doing.
- Startups are learning accelerators — even failure compounds experience.
- “Comfort kills ambition.” Leaving stability is hard, but staying too long costs more.
By the end of this module, you’ll have a clearer sense of:
- Whether you’re ready (mentally and practically) to start something.
- What you’d be giving up — and what you stand to gain.
- How to build a path that prepares you for startup life, even if not today.
