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Most founders fear this moment. I hoped for it.
Many founders live in fear of one thing: that their top talent will leave and start their own company.
I wasn’t afraid of that. I expected it.
What I actually feared was this: that they’d leave, start something great—and not invite me to join as a co-founder or investor.
Why I love to walk and talk
At Divante, I developed a habit. I’d take promising people for a walk, chat about life, and casually say:
"Hey, if you ever think about starting your own thing, just let me know. I’ll help."
And I meant it.
Several Divante team members went on to build amazing startups. In more than a few of them, I became a co-founder or investor. Their combined value now far exceeds Divante’s.
Founders: support your future founders
If you’re an entrepreneur, you’ve got two big opportunities:
- Help your team become entrepreneurs.
That’s not a threat—it’s a legacy. - Be their first investor.
If you’ve built a great company, you’re surrounded by smart, ambitious people. Why not bet on them?
Employees: don’t hide your ambition
Thinking of starting something on your own? Don’t be afraid to say it out loud.
You might be surprised—your current boss might just write your first check.
Follow me on LinkedIn for more thoughts on building global companies and backing the next generation of founders.
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