What exactly is a startup – a dream, a risk, or a way of life? In the fifth episode of On The Edge by E1S, Jakub Skorupski talks with Bogdan Derdziński (Vice President at Edge1S), Piotr Pietras (Co-founder & CEO at Green Lanes), and Michał Pośnik (Co-founder at Hear Me) about building a business from scratch. Three different stories, one shared experience – an honest conversation about successes, mistakes, funding, and lessons worth remembering.
Is there a recipe for a successful startup, or does everyone have to find their own path? Tune in to find out!
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Startup Pathways – How Technology Shapes the New Generation of Business
Modern tech startups have become one of the key engines of innovation. They combine bold ideas with a deep understanding of technology, aiming to rapidly create solutions that address real market needs. While many don’t make it past the first few months, it’s this very environment where groundbreaking ideas are born – ideas that redefine how businesses and consumers operate.
Technology as the Foundation of Innovation
Every successful startup begins with an idea, but its true fuel is technology. It enables rapid hypothesis testing, process automation, and efficient scaling.
The MVP (Minimum Viable Product) model remains one of the crucial stages – allowing startups to validate their ideas with the market before investing significant resources in product development. Increasingly, startups are turning to AI- and data-driven tools that help them better understand users and speed up decision-making.
Funding – From Dream to Scalable Business
Securing funding is one of the biggest challenges in building a startup. The early stages are often financed by the founders themselves, but as the project grows, the need for external support arises – from investors, venture capital funds, or accelerator programs.
At this stage, it’s not just the idea that matters, but also transparency, consistency, and a readiness to collaborate. Trust is key – both within the team and between the startup and its investors.
A well-designed funding strategy isn’t just about raising capital. It’s about choosing partners who bring more than money – those who offer know-how, valuable networks, and support in scaling operations.
The Team and Technological Competence
A strong team is built not only on experience but also on the diversity of skills. Successful startups combine technical expertise with a business-oriented perspective on the product. More and more often, the role of the CTO becomes critical – someone who can translate a business vision into tangible technological solutions. This enables startups to build their products flexibly and efficiently, reducing the costs of external development.
In the startup world, the ability to learn and adapt quickly is essential. Skills in data analytics, UX/UI, or DevOps are no longer just an advantage – they’re a necessity.
Scaling Smart, Not Just Fast
Growth is every startup’s dream, but not all scaling leads to success. Rapid expansion requires stable processes, automation, and a well-thought-out organizational structure.
In practice, technology should support growth – not complicate it. Cloud-based solutions, agile project management, and a culture of continuous improvement help maintain momentum without sacrificing quality.
Scaling also doesn’t have to mean growing headcount. In the age of automation and AI, scaling efficiency – using technology to increase business value while keeping operational costs low – is just as important.
Risk, Failure, and Organizational Resilience
Startups thrive in an environment where uncertainty is the norm. Success requires the courage to experiment, but also the humility to learn from mistakes.
Failures often teach the most – they help founders better understand the market, users, and their own limitations.
Today’s startups are also placing greater emphasis on psychological resilience – recognizing that business growth is a marathon, not a sprint, and that the mental health of founders and their teams directly impacts organizational effectiveness.
The Future Directions of Tech Startups
The startup landscape is evolving. More projects are focusing on sustainability, process automation, and developing technologies that empower people rather than replace them.
At the same time, AI is becoming more accessible than ever – enabling faster, more precise, and cost-effective innovation.
In this context, the role of technology partners such as Edge One Solutions is growing – supporting startups in building scalable systems, integrations, and software development that turn bold ideas into successful businesses.
