Ask TIA: How should founders deal with stress from investors?

Hi TIA Community,

I’m a start-up sole-founder. We raised money in the last six months from a small group of angels and got decent traction. But we were told that we are not growing fast enough.

Our investors want to see the hockey stick curve ASAP. I understand the pressure is there because they want the start-up to grow. After all, we took their money and we should be responsible. But the pressure from them is quite big and it is killing my passion building the start-up.

It is my first time doing start-ups so I want to ask founders who are reading Tech in Asia… how do you deal with depression and pressure from investors? Is it normal to feel this pressured?

Thank you,

Anonymous founder