Day 306 out of 1,095: Due Diligence

Today was one of those intense, multi-faceted days where different worlds collide—balancing the weight of an ongoing battle in life and the demands of building a startup.

The morning began with a deep and insightful conversation with a psychiatrist. We explored the silent scars of trauma—post-traumatic stress—and it reminded me just how crucial perspective is, even as we pursue ambitious business goals.

By evening, we shifted gears entirely, diving into preparations for next week’s big milestone: conducting business due diligence for our startup with a partner at a venture capital firm.

And this got me thinking: Does the due diligence process really predict the success of a company? Is it enough to have an exceptional team, a differentiated product, and the ability to capture a significant market share?

The short answer: not necessarily.

The truth is, there is no perfect predictor for a successful startup. Sure, there are patterns, frameworks, and historical data to lean on. But the startup world is filled with companies that checked every box on paper yet failed to scale—and others that thrived against all odds.

As Shiri, our Chief Happiness Officer, often says: “What’s meant to happen will happen.”

So what does that mean for us? It means showing up fully prepared, doing our best to control what we can. It means meticulously answering every question, refining our pitch, and ensuring every detail in the due diligence process is in place.

But it also means accepting this hard truth: no matter how prepared you are, some things are simply out of your control.

At the end of the day, success in startups (and life) often comes down to a mix of preparation, adaptability, and, yes, a bit of luck. The best we can do is stay focused, stay humble, and stay open to learning.

So here’s my question to you: Can due diligence really predict success? Or is it just another step in the unpredictable journey of entrepreneurship?

Looking forward to your thoughts.

—Eliav