Last week, I sat across from one of my IVF patients who had come in for her regular consultation. She was candid, as she always is, and there was something almost refreshing about her honesty. As she spoke about her fears and her hopes, I couldn’t help but draw parallels between her journey and that of the many startup founders I’ve backed over the years. There is a remarkable similarity between the emotional rollercoaster of IVF and the entrepreneurial journey. Both demand resilience, patience, and an extraordinary level of honesty — with oneself and with others.
I’ve seen many founders who, like my patients, are navigating a path fraught with uncertainty. It’s easy to romanticize the startup world, but the truth is that it involves navigating constant ambiguity, much like the journey of IVF. Founders often have to deal with failed experiments, pivoting strategies, and managing the expectations of investors — all while maintaining the belief that success is just around the corner. In my experience, the most successful founders are those who can absorb the failures and learn from them, much like my patients who undergo multiple IVF cycles.
One of the most striking qualities of this patient was her ability to confront the harsh realities of her situation without losing hope. She understood the statistics, the odds, and the science, and yet, she was determined to keep trying. This is a lesson I wish more startup founders would take to heart. There’s a tendency among some entrepreneurs to shy away from the brutal truths of their business, preferring instead to paint a rosier picture for investors and stakeholders. But just as in IVF, ignoring the realities doesn’t change them. Instead, it sets the stage for unforeseen failures.
In one of my previous posts, I wrote about the importance of asking the right questions. Just like my IVF patients, who are unafraid to ask difficult questions about their treatment and prognosis, founders should be encouraged to question everything — from their business model to their market assumptions. It is through this relentless questioning that clarity emerges.
In the world of IVF, patients have to deal with the harsh potential of failure with each cycle. It’s a reality that is difficult to face but necessary to confront. Similarly, startups are statistics-driven ventures. The majority will not survive past the initial years, and founders must be prepared for this possibility. But preparation doesn’t mean pessimism. Just as my patient approaches each cycle with renewed hope and energy, founders must learn to approach each pivot or failure as a stepping stone rather than a setback.
Moreover, the importance of a supportive ecosystem cannot be overstated. My patient has a network of family, friends, and medical professionals who support her through each step of her journey. Likewise, founders need to build a network of mentors, advisors, and peers who can provide guidance and support. The journey of entrepreneurship can be lonely, but it doesn’t have to be. I often advise founders to seek out communities and networks where they can share their experiences and learn from others. These connections can often provide the insights and encouragement necessary to persevere.
Another critical lesson from the world of IVF is the importance of managing expectations. This is something my candid patient has mastered. She understands that each cycle is a step towards her goal, not a guaranteed success. Founders, too, must manage their expectations and those of their investors. It’s crucial to set realistic milestones and communicate openly about the progress and challenges. Overpromising and underdelivering is a quick way to lose trust and credibility.
In the end, both journeys — IVF and entrepreneurship — are about hope, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of a dream. They both require a deep well of patience and a willingness to adapt and learn from each setback. My patient, with her unwavering courage and honesty, is a testament to the strength of the human spirit. She reminds me that the true measure of success is not just in the outcome, but in the journey itself.
For startup founders, embracing this mindset can be transformative. It’s about understanding that failure is not the end but part of the process. It’s about knowing when to pivot and when to persevere. And most importantly, it’s about staying true to oneself and one’s vision, even in the face of adversity.
As I reflect on these parallels, I hope more founders can find inspiration in the resilience of my IVF patients. In their courage, there is a lesson for all of us — that the path to success is rarely straightforward but always worth pursuing.