In a time when startup success is too often measured by headlines, hype, and sky-high valuations, Hotmail co-founder Sabeer Bhatia is offering a sharp reminder of what truly matters. Taking to social media, Bhatia shared a powerful message aimed straight at founders chasing quick exits and inflated numbers: real builders don’t build for applause — they build for impact.
Bhatia called out the growing obsession with valuations, pointing out how the startup world has confused flashy funding rounds with actual success. “The bigger the number, the louder the applause,” he noted — but warned that this kind of thinking leads founders astray. “Valuation might get attention. But it doesn’t build resilience.”
According to him, the ones who go the distance are not in it for vanity metrics. They’re in it for the problem they’re solving — the kind of meaning-driven work that keeps them going, even when no one is watching. These are the founders who stay curious, stay committed, and care deeply about the people they’re building for.
His advice? Don’t build for exits. Don’t chase hype. Focus on the value you bring to the world. That, he said, is what compounds over time — and that’s the foundation real success is built on.
Internet reacts
Many users resonated deeply with Sabeer Bhatia’s message. One pointed out that building with purpose will always outweigh chasing hype. Another agreed that while hype fades, meaningful work endures — and that founders should focus on what truly matters. One user shared their personal journey of working on a cultural heritage blog and eventually launching a heritage tourism platform. Though they haven’t reached conventional success, they haven’t given up either — the joy of doing the work has kept them going. Another commenter reflected on their freelancing experience, saying that solving real problems has always been their priority, and it's incredibly rewarding to see the tangible difference it makes for clients.
Bhatia called out the growing obsession with valuations, pointing out how the startup world has confused flashy funding rounds with actual success. “The bigger the number, the louder the applause,” he noted — but warned that this kind of thinking leads founders astray. “Valuation might get attention. But it doesn’t build resilience.”
According to him, the ones who go the distance are not in it for vanity metrics. They’re in it for the problem they’re solving — the kind of meaning-driven work that keeps them going, even when no one is watching. These are the founders who stay curious, stay committed, and care deeply about the people they’re building for.
His advice? Don’t build for exits. Don’t chase hype. Focus on the value you bring to the world. That, he said, is what compounds over time — and that’s the foundation real success is built on.
Internet reacts
Many users resonated deeply with Sabeer Bhatia’s message. One pointed out that building with purpose will always outweigh chasing hype. Another agreed that while hype fades, meaningful work endures — and that founders should focus on what truly matters. One user shared their personal journey of working on a cultural heritage blog and eventually launching a heritage tourism platform. Though they haven’t reached conventional success, they haven’t given up either — the joy of doing the work has kept them going. Another commenter reflected on their freelancing experience, saying that solving real problems has always been their priority, and it's incredibly rewarding to see the tangible difference it makes for clients.
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