The Unconventional Principle That Has Guided Every Major Decision Since My Company’s Inception

Beyond the Hype: Embracing True Ownership in Entrepreneurship

In the dynamic world of startups, the narrative often champions rapid scale, hefty valuations, and public visibility. Founders are frequently urged to sprint, secure early funding, and celebrate milestones that shine brightly from the outside. While these moments can be exhilarating, they frequently overshadow the true essence of entrepreneurship. At its core, entrepreneurship is a profound act of ownership – taking full responsibility for what you create, how you build it, and the lasting impact it generates.

This foundational belief has been the compass for every significant decision I’ve made since establishing my company in 2016. It’s a principle that has quietly, yet powerfully, shaped our approach to funding, leadership, and growth, often diverging from conventional wisdom.

Funding with Freedom: The Power of Self-Reliance

When Soft2Bet was founded, a pivotal decision was made early on: we would pursue growth without external investors. This meant a commitment to steady, organic development, reinvesting our own revenues rather than chasing venture capital. It was undeniably the more challenging path, but it bestowed upon us something far more valuable than mere capital: unparalleled freedom.

By steadfastly maintaining our independence, we retained complete ownership over our strategic direction. Our focus remained squarely on our customers and product innovation, unburdened by the pressures of funding cycles or the need to optimize for short-term optics. This freedom translated into tangible advantages:

• Product Readiness: We launched products when they were truly ready, not when they fit a pitch deck timeline.
• Long-Term Vision: We could embrace ambitious, long-term risks without the quarterly scrutiny of external stakeholders.
• Value Alignment: Our company culture and direction were shaped by our core values, not by investor expectations.

This independence wasn’t merely a growth strategy; it became intrinsically woven into our business model and cultural fabric. Such a path demands rigorous discipline. Without the safety net of external funding, there’s zero tolerance for distraction. Every new hire, every tool adopted, every feature developed must unequivocally earn its place. Constraints, paradoxically, sharpen focus and demand clarity. They forge a profound sense of ownership, because when the responsibility rests entirely on your shoulders, outcomes inherently matter more than appearances. When you’re not perpetually fundraising, the focus shifts to meaning, to building self-sustaining systems of growth, and to asking not just what you’re building, but why.

Leadership Through Presence: The Indispensable Role of Connection

The landscape of work has undergone a dramatic transformation in recent years. Remote and hybrid models have undeniably expanded flexibility and access to global talent, proving effective in many scenarios. However, I’ve also witnessed the subtle erosion that occurs when leaders are physically absent. A disconnect can emerge, felt deeply by the team. Energy wanes, culture risks flattening into transactional exchanges, and critical decisions migrate from dynamic conversations to impersonal email threads.

While managing people remotely is feasible, true leadership demands something more profound. For me, leadership is inherently physical. It’s about being in the room – feeling the palpable tension of a difficult decision, catching the collaborative rhythm of a brainstorming session, or sharing a late-night pizza while ideas flow. These are the moments that forge trust, cultivate alignment, and cannot be delegated or replicated in isolation.

This conviction underpins our belief in working together in person. Our motivation isn’t control, but connection. Innovation flourishes in an environment of shared energy and collective purpose. Showing up is, in itself, a powerful form of ownership. When leaders are present, they assume direct responsibility for the culture, momentum, and morale of their teams, not just the final outcomes.

Growth with Purpose: Integrating Philanthropy from Day One

Many perceive philanthropy as an endeavor reserved for post-success – something to be considered once a business is stable and pressures have subsided. I believe this perspective fundamentally misunderstands both the nature of business and the scope of responsibility. For us, philanthropy isn’t an add-on; it’s intricately embedded into our very method of building.

We actively run charitable initiatives within the company, ranging from educational support for employees’ children to impactful community partnerships. Our team doesn’t merely endorse these efforts; they actively participate, fostering a shared sense of purpose. This belief also inspired my wife, Yael, and me to establish the Yael Foundation, dedicated to expanding access to education globally. Today, the Foundation operates in 45 countries, supports 132 educational institutions, and positively impacts over 19,000 children worldwide.

What truly matters isn’t just scale, but integration. When philanthropy is an intrinsic part of the business from its inception, it profoundly influences decision-making. It elevates standards, attracts individuals who seek meaning in their work, and reframes growth not as an ultimate destination, but as a powerful vehicle for creating broader societal impact. Business becomes the engine, and purpose provides the unwavering direction. Owning growth also means owning its consequences – for employees, for communities, and for the wider world your company touches.

The Enduring Measure of Entrepreneurship: A Legacy of Ownership

Reflecting on the journey, the most profound lessons consistently circle back to the principle of ownership:

• Courage vs. Capital: The audacity to build, to believe in your own capacity before seeking external validation, can be as crucial as financial capital.
• Presence in Leadership: You cannot effectively outsource culture or inspire from a distance; true leadership demands physical and emotional presence.
• Purpose Defines Success: Philanthropy isn’t a byproduct of achievement; it actively shapes and redefines what achievement truly means.

Entrepreneurship is far more than a title; it’s a profound mindset. It’s the unwavering willingness to take responsibility – not just for the results you achieve, but for the environment you cultivate and the lasting impact you leave on the world.

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