Lola Eniolorunda, COO, VG Platform Inc. and co-founder, Exequi.io.
Switching gears from being a corporate professional to tech entrepreneurship is a very exciting journey for most people. An opportunity to build something that solves a problem one has personally experienced or is very passionate about can make any seasoned professional very thrilled—as they should be.
However, as someone who co-founded a venture building firm that helps corporate professionals transition into tech entrepreneurship, I know this path is also fraught with challenges that many professionals overlook. While corporate experience provides valuable skills, the startup world operates using an entirely different playbook. Many professionals enter the tech space assuming their success in structured environments will seamlessly translate into building and scaling a startup, guaranteed. After all, many have managed team sizes in the hundreds and multi-million-dollar projects. How difficult can it be to build a startup?
This assumption often leads to common pitfalls. Here are the most frequent mistakes I’ve seen corporate professionals make when venturing into tech entrepreneurship—and how to avoid them.
1. Overvaluing Corporate Experience And Undervaluing Startup Agility
In corporate settings, professionals operate within established systems, processes and resources. In contrast, startups require rapid iteration, lean operations and a willingness to pivot frequently. Many corporate professionals make the mistake of relying too heavily on their structured thinking, which can slow decision-making in the fast-paced startup world. Instead, founders should embrace agility, test ideas quickly, and adapt based on real-time feedback.
Tip: This is very easy to say and commit to, but it’s quite difficult in practice. Remind yourself daily that the only thing that matters is survival today.
2. Waiting For Perfection Instead Of Prioritizing Speed
Corporate environments often emphasize rigorous planning, risk assessments and extensive approval processes. While these are crucial in large organizations, they can be detrimental to a startup. Many corporate professionals struggle to launch without a “perfect” product or extensive market research, causing them to lose valuable time. In tech entrepreneurship, the MVP (minimum viable product) approach is key—build something simple, get it in front of users, and iterate based on feedback.
Tip: You have to be willing to “look stupid” with the most basic version of your app.
3. Underestimating The Sales And Distribution Challenge
Corporate professionals accustomed to established brand recognition and built-in customer bases often underestimate the effort required to acquire customers from scratch. In startups, founders must become the chief sales officers, personally driving early adoption. Many former corporate executives struggle with outbound sales, pricing strategies and direct customer engagement—critical skills for early-stage startup success.
Tip: No one can sell your product like you. You have to get in front of your customers and market aggressively, including doing a lot of things that are not scalable at the start.
4. Applying Corporate Budgeting To Startup Finances
In corporate settings, budgets are allocated annually with structured spending approvals. Startups, on the other hand, operate in survival mode, where cash flow and runway management are paramount. Many new founders misallocate funds by overspending on non-essentials (e.g., expensive office space, branding or over-hiring) rather than focusing on core growth metrics like user acquisition and product-market fit.
Tip: Allocate the minimum for app development by limiting features while ensuring quality is prioritized. Move all additional funds to getting your first 100 users.
5. Overcomplicating Product Development
Corporate professionals are accustomed to extensive feature roadmaps and complex product requirements. However, startups thrive on simplicity—focusing on a core problem and delivering a straightforward solution. Many new founders waste valuable time building features that do not directly drive user adoption or revenue. The key is to launch with a simple, functional product and iterate based on actual user needs.
Tip: Again, be willing to look “stupid” with the most basic version of your app. Set an MVP target and before doing something, always ask yourself: would this help me achieve my MVP target? If the answer is not a resounding yes, put in your backlog.
6. Building For Investors Instead Of Users
Many corporate professionals assume that securing funding is the ultimate goal. They focus on creating pitch decks and chasing investors rather than prioritizing product-market fit. However, I’ve seen that many successful startups build traction first, proving their value to users before seeking capital. Investors often prefer to back startups with demonstrated market demand rather than just well-crafted presentations.
Tip: Look for angels that believe in you as a founder; these investors will be willing to write those checks even without fancy decks if you show them what you have already done.
7. Failing To Cultivate A Founder Mindset
Corporate professionals often underestimate the psychological shift required to become a founder. In a startup, there is no guaranteed paycheck, clear career trajectory or structured support system. The uncertainty, constant problem-solving and resilience required to push through failures can be overwhelming. New founders must develop a mindset of adaptability, continuous learning and resilience to thrive in this unpredictable landscape.
Tip: Eyes on the goal. The road is rough, but like the eagle in the eagle’s rebirth story, the pain of re-inventing yourself can significantly pay off (or not) much later.
Conclusion
While corporate professionals bring invaluable skills to the table, adapting to the realities of tech entrepreneurship requires a fundamental shift in mindset and execution. By embracing agility, prioritizing speed over perfection, focusing on customer acquisition, and operating with financial discipline, they can increase their chances of success. The transition from boardroom to startup is challenging, but those who navigate these pitfalls wisely can build impactful and scalable businesses in the tech world.
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