We know that every early stage of a startup has one thing in common: the feeling of still spreading  wings while already taking on the first flights.

Many decisions are made with incomplete information, under intense pressure, and with a tremendous desire to make things work. In this scenario, certain patterns emerge frequently – both in mistakes and in successes.

Among the most common mistakes are:

• Lack of real validation – Building solutions based on assumptions, without truly listening to the market.
• Growing too soon – Scaling operations, team, or investment without a minimally viable model can accelerate the problem (rather than the solution).
• Loss of focus – Trying to solve everything at once dilutes energy and prevents the startup from finding its natural path.

On the other hand, the successes also speak volumes at this stage:

• Proximity to customers – Constant conversations, honest feedback, and a willingness to listen make all the difference.
• Adaptability – Changing quickly, adjusting course, and abandoning ideas when necessary.
• Learning in short cycles – Test, measure, learn, and repeat. The faster this cycle moves, the more consistent and visible the progress is.

There is no ready-made recipe for the early stage, but there are signs! Knowing how to understand them makes all the difference.