Challenges Every StartUp Founder Must Face and Strategy for Winning: Tips From My Journey as a Co-Founder of Haptle Technologies – Bolade Akinniyi

Starting Haptle Technologies, an African online platform connecting event owners with vendors, was a dream come true but not without its fair share of challenges. As a co-founder, I faced numerous hurdles along the way, each of which shaped me and the company.

One of the first obstacles was finding the right co-founders. The success of a startup depends on the synergy between its founders, so I needed partners with a shared vision who brought diverse skills and experiences to the table. Identifying individuals as passionate about the project as I was proved difficult, as many potential co-founders were either not fully committed or lacked the necessary complementary skills.

After numerous discussions and trials, I found two co-founders who perfectly aligned with Haptle’s vision. Their strengths complemented my weaknesses, making collective decision-making and long-term success possible.

As a software developer, I took on the responsibility of developing the codebase for Haptle Technologies while balancing my full-time job. However, juggling these demands quickly became overwhelming, as the sheer amount of work required to build a robust platform from scratch was daunting.

Recognizing the need for additional support, I contracted out the development, leveraging the expertise of professional developers while focusing on my full-time job and strategic aspects of the business. This move ensured the project continued to progress without compromising quality.

Understanding the market was another critical challenge. Validating the idea and ensuring demand for Haptle Technologies’ services were essential. With limited resources, conducting thorough market research was a challenge, requiring the use of online surveys, focus groups, and direct interviews with potential users. This hands-on approach provided invaluable insights into the target audience’s pain points and expectations, enabling the platform’s refinement to better meet market needs.

Building the right team beyond the co-founders was another significant challenge. The early team sets the foundation for the company’s culture and operational efficiency. Attracting top talent to a new and unproven startup was difficult, with many potential hires hesitant to leave stable jobs for a venture still in its infancy.

I focused on creating a compelling vision and mission for Haptle Technologies that resonated with potential team members. Offering equity stakes and highlighting the opportunity for significant impact helped attract passionate individuals eager to join the journey. Additionally, fostering a collaborative and inclusive culture helped retain top talent and build a strong, cohesive team.

Haptle Technologies’ journey has been filled with challenges, but each obstacle taught me valuable lessons and strengthened my resolve to succeed. I hope sharing these experiences will provide insights and encouragement to other aspiring founders navigating their entrepreneurial paths, reminding them that persistence, adaptability, and a clear vision are key to overcoming obstacles.