The market confirms this, in times of great uncertainty the survival of a startup must be above other objectives such as accelerated growth. Camels are the species that can best adapt to a scenario of low capital flows and economic fluctuations as drastic as a sandstorm.
Scarce funding is the starting point for startups now to aspire to become camels and leave the mythological unicorn behind. These mammals can survive during the winter for up to 6 or 7 months without water, changing their body temperature between 34 and 40 degrees Celsius to prevent loss of vital liquid.
An oasis in the desert
Thus, camel startups must have strategies that allow them to survive in this harsh winter, reduce costs and capitalize on all opportunities; like camels that when they arrive at an oasis can drink up to 120 liters of water in less than 10 minutes.
It is not that the financing is closed suddenly, it is that investors will be more cautious and will look for more consolidated companies, capable of offering returns in the medium and short term. Faced with these long runways, so similar to a walk between dunes and a strong sun, camel startups will have to take slow but sure steps, maybe there will be no exponential growth and that’s fine, in 2023 what will save them is sustained growth.
In 2023, going through the valley of death will be a challenging journey, full of challenges; but with good cost management, anti-risk plans, medium-term strategies, and excellent financial management, startups can be victorious.
Resilience, flexibility and diversity
Next year will be decisive for the ecosystem. The companies that survive will have an obvious advantage, but the ones that manage to grow will be unstoppable. The words resilience, flexibility and diversity will define the camels.
As in the pandemic, the customer will have the last word, and their expectations and needs in a complex context will be higher than ever. Startups must rise to this challenge and not skimp on it. That will involve fitting and refitting the model over and over again, and as many times as necessary.
