The goal isn't to get money from a Venture Capitalist, just as the goal isn't to get to a summit. Those are stepping stones. In the flick 180 Degrees South Yvon Chouinard exposed his sentiment about climbing in a similar fashion. He resented the "modern" Mount Everest climbing attitude.
“Taking a trip for six months, if you get in the rhythm of it, it feels like you could just go on forever doing it. Climbing Everest is the ultimate and the opposite of that, because you get all these high-powered plastic surgeons and CEOs, and you know, they pay $80,000 and have Sherpas put all the ladders in place, and 8,000 feet of fixed ropes. You get to a camp and you don’t even have to lay out your sleeping bag, it’s already laid out with a little chocolate mint on the top. The whole purpose of climbing Everest is to effect some sort of spiritual and physical gain; but if you compromise the process, you’re an asshole when you start out and you’re an asshole when you get back.”
If one climbs that summit knowing it is a stepping stone with sides chiseled by the erosion of integrity and character, there is no failure. If one proceeds to climb with character they will return evolved. Altering your plans and your approach and your vision in order to grab that mint on the pillow, understand that it might get in the way of the real point of the exercise, which is to build an organization that makes a difference. Don't care so much how much money is raised, or who you raised it from. Care a lot about who your customers, neighbors, community members and employees are and why (or if) they're happy. The most important processes in life are rarely funded.
best post yet, Grace
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