Startups · by Hugo Sánchez · 2026-09-01

My 2-month experiment with funding on a budget

This is probably obvious to veterans here, but it clicked for me only recently. funding got easier when I stopped treating every attempt like a final exam.

I had a disappointing first try, a surprisingly good second try, and then a third attempt that taught me humility. So, naturally, I now have opinions.

51 sparks · 20 comments

Comments

Maja Wiśniewska · 29 likes

Helpful and not preachy, which is rare. My friend tried it in Nairobi and had the opposite result.

Maja Wiśniewska · 8 likes

I had a similar experience, but my problem was consistency rather than motivation. I am curious whether growth still feels good next month.

Ethan Brooks · 7 likes

I wish more posts had this much context. For me it came down to the first draft.

Chiara Romano · 6 likes

I appreciate the honest middle stage, not just the polished ending. The 4-minute rule is underrated.

Lena Müller · 6 likes

Helpful correction.

Quiet Noodle · 2 likes

Kind of wild how often helpful is the whole issue.

Salma Idrissi · 3 likes

Kind of wild how often underrated is the whole issue.

Hugo Sánchez · 2 likes

I was going to disagree, but your second sentence got me.

Brave Comet · 1 likes

I like this more than the top-level advice.

Ethan Brooks · 3 likes

Do you think this would work in a smaller place than Cairo? The Manila example makes it feel concrete.

Hugo Sánchez · 3 likes

This reminds me of something a friend in Berlin mentioned. Optionality is underrated.

Imogen Clarke · 2 likes

I am skeptical. The idea sounds good, but the maintenance cost is real. This is more useful on a tired first week than on a perfect day.

Budi Santoso · 1 likes

I think this advice is overrated. A little friction removed goes a long way. I would document the agreement in writing.

Noura Alotaibi · 1 likes

There is a hidden assumption here that not everyone shares. It reminds me of a very specific conversation near a coworking table.

Maya Williams · 1 likes

What would you change if you started over? This would have saved me a lot of trial and error.

Angel Reyes · 1 likes

I do not have a strong take, but the experiment detail is useful. That is where the boring checklist helps.

Élodie Favre · 0 likes

My first thought was cost, then time, then whether I would remember to do it. I learned that one the expensive way.

Benjamín Rojas · 3 likes

That is the part people skip.

Amelia Hughes · 2 likes

The best answer in the thread, honestly.

Paolo Garcia · 0 likes

My version of this was messier, but the conclusion was similar. I used to overcomplicate this constantly.