We all love a good startup success story. Headlines scream about billion-dollar valuations and viral unicorn launches, making it seem like success happens overnight. But peel back the curtain, and you’ll find a very different reality. Years of trial, error, pivots, and persistence are what truly drive a company’s success.
The truth is, overnight success is a myth. What looks like a rocket ship to outsiders is often the result of years of quiet, consistent work and dedication. If you’re building a startup and it feels like everything is taking forever, don’t worry—you’re not alone, and you’re probably on the right track.

The Typical Startup Lifecycle

Let’s break down what the startup journey really looks like. While every company’s path is unique, most follow a general pattern that unfolds over years, and the Close School provides the infrastructure to survive each stage:

1. Ideation (6 months – 1 year)
   This stage is messy, creative, and often full of uncertainty as you start researching the market, identifying deep-seated problems, and cycling through initial concepts. The goal isn’t to build something immediately; it’s about rapidly testing and discarding ideas to uncover true market potential. This is where our specialized courses, like Innovation & Ideation, push you past your first few concepts to help uncover those true market opportunities.
2. Validation (6 months – 1.5 years)
   Next comes the crucial validation phase, where you build a Minimum Viable Product (MVP), get it into customers’ hands, and collect real-world feedback. Many startups pivot drastically here, which is essential to avoid investing time and capital in a flawed direction. You master this strategic process directly in our Ready, Set, Fail course, where pivoting isn’t seen as failure—it’s the fastest way to learn and change.
3. Early Traction (1 – 2 years)
   Once you’ve found some product-market fit, you start gaining initial users and revenue, but growth is often uneven and founders are still wearing every hat, balancing product build-out with customer acquisition. For those committed to their venture, our Entrepreneurship Co-op provides up to $19,000 in funding and academic credit, allowing you to focus on this critical stage full-time.
4. Scaling (2 – 5+ years)
   Only after securing a solid foundation and proof of concept can a venture truly begin to scale by building systems, refining processes, and securing serious outside investment. You gain direct access to this world of growth and finance by enrolling in the Venture Capital Minor and engaging with our Investor-in-Residence program, preparing you for successful institutional fundraising.

A Culture Of Resilience

Apps like Uber and Airbnb took years to gain traction. What you don’t see in the headlines are the countless product iterations, the near-bankruptcies, and the founders who stuck with it when no one else believed. Founders today are under immense pressure to grow fast, but moving too fast without a robust support structure is exactly what causes burnout and collapse.

The Close School teaches that the true secret to success is supported endurance. We don’t just teach resilience; we provide the infrastructure to survive the timeline.

• Your Building Hub: The Baiada Institute for Entrepreneurship serves as your year-round home, providing the physical space, essential tools, and infrastructure needed to work through the “messy middle” of development.
• The Power of Connection: Your efforts are amplified by our powerful network. Through MentorHub and our active Alumni Network, you gain direct access to founders and investors who have successfully navigated the entire lifecycle. They provide the timely advice, connections, and support needed to keep you from quitting when the work gets hard.
• The Antidote to Isolation: By anchoring your vision within the Close School’s community, you are building your venture alongside peers and seasoned professionals—you are never left to navigate the long game alone.

Focus on building something real, a product that truly solves a problem, and a culture that can endure. Give yourself permission to move at a pace that prioritizes substance, knowing the Close School is providing the foundation for your long-term success.

Embracing the Long Game

The real story of every impressive startup is the founder or team who showed up every day, even when it was hard, boring, or uncertain. The Close School’s mission is to provide the mindset and community needed for that kind of endurance. By engaging with our resources, mentorship, and funding ecosystem, you are equipped not just to start, but to withstand the full, unpredictable timeline of a real company. Embrace the long game, build with support, and trust the process.