On March 24-25, 2025, the “Shaping Tomorrow” conference is held in Warsaw, co-organized by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. This event is part of the Mit Global Startup Workshop (myth GSW) initiative, which gathers entrepreneurs, scientists, investors and business leaders from around the world in one place.
One of the speakers during the conference is Paul Cheeksenior lecturer in myth who specializes in the field of technological startups. We had the opportunity to talk to him about both the biggest challenges that novice entrepreneurs are struggling with, as well as about the influence artificial intelligence for startup ecosystem.
Daniel Maikowski: What is the biggest mistake made by startups at an early stage of their development?
Paul Cheek: Falling in love with your own product. Many entrepreneurs focus so much on their idea that somewhere along the way they forget that his goal is to solve a specific and existing problem. Startups often do not verify whether their tool really corresponds to the significant need for the market. They form a product and then look for a niche for it. They are looking for a problem that he could solve. It should be the opposite – this product is to be a response to the needs of customers.
How to distinguish a real problem from a temporary trend?
The real problem is one that is serious, durable, and people are ready to pay for its solution. The key questions that are worth asking are: will this problem also exist in 5 or 10 years? Are people trying to solve it now, even if they do it in an inefficient way? Will its solution bring real economic or social value? Many startups can be fooled by temporary trends that may seem attractive, but they do not have solid business foundations. Real problems have deep roots and persist regardless of temporary market changes.
I prepared a good business plan, and yet my business did not work completely. Where did I make a mistake?
The business plan is only a theory, and reality often brutally verifies its assumptions. Instead of treating the plan as something unchanged, entrepreneurs should constantly talk to clients, test their hypotheses and adapt to market trends. Many startups seem that a business model once developed is enough for success, but in practice they are companies that can react flexibly to changes and quickly pull out conclusionshave the best chance of success.
Regulations are often seen as obstacles by innovation. How can startups deal with a “bureaucratic muzzle”?
Regulations can indeed be a challenge, but at the same time they are an opportunity for innovation. The most important thing is for entrepreneurs to understand why the provisions exist and what risk they are to limit. Many companies He is successful, finding creative ways to act as part of the regulation instead of trying to avoid them. It is worth consulting legal experts as soon as possible to avoid problems at a later stage of the company
What is the most underestimated indicator that signals the long -term startup potential? Let's skip the most obvious factors, such as revenues or growth.
The most underestimated indicator is customer retention. If people return to the product, use it regularly and recommend it to others, this is a sign that the startup provides real value. The increase in sales can be the result of aggressive marketing, but if customers do not stay for longer, the company will have a problem with staying on the market. The real driving force of startups relating to success is the ability to build long -term relationships with clients.
I know that forecasting market trends is a divination from coffee grounds, but let's try. How can the startup ecosystem change in the next decade? What will be the largest gamechanger?
The biggest change will be a rapid increase in the number of startups based on artificial intelligence and automation. We are already observing the birth of companies that can develop almost without the participation of people – we call them to the myth Ai-Driven Enterprises. This is a new type of enterprises that work differently than traditional startups and can scale at an unusual pace.
Entrepreneurs should focus on how to use AI to automate business processes, but at the same time develop skills that machines will not replace – creativity, the ability to think strategically and the ability to build interpersonal relationships.
What is the most surprising way in which AI already shapes the startup environment today?
One of the most exciting AI aspects is how simplifying the process of testing business ideas. Startups can now create prototypes faster, simulate market reactions and automate entire operational processes. This significantly reduces the costs and risk of setting up a company, opening the door for even more new startups.
There is also a lot of talk about the darker sides of this AI revolution. Every now and then reports appear, which the authors threaten that artificial intelligence will lead to the loss of thousands or even millions of jobs. Is there really anything to be afraid of? How should entrepreneurs approach this issue?
Ai changes the nature of the work, but this does not automatically mean that it will take employment from people. The key is how entrepreneurs will approach this change. The best startups do not use AI to replace people, but to increase their capabilities. Companies that can integrate wisely AI and invest in the development of the competences of their employees will have a competitive advantage.
For decades, Poland was described pejoratively as a “European assembly”. Today we are growing on one fastest developing technological hubs on the Old Continent. What contributed to this change?
Poland is distinguished by a great level of technical education, which makes it Polish Engineers belong to the world leaders. In addition, there is a thriving startup ecosystem and growing interest of foreign investors. There is also a unique culture of entrepreneurship in Poland – Polish founders are ambitious, focused on solving real problems and are more and more often thinking globally.
What advice would you give Polish entrepreneurs who want to scale their startups to international markets?
The most important thing is not to compete with the price, but in quality and innovation. Poland has great potential, but the key to success on the international arena is to create a product that stands out from the competition not only at the expense of the competition, but also at the technology, design and quality of workmanship.
Paul Cheek – entrepreneur, investor and lecturer at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (myth), specializing in technological startups and innovations. Is a co -founder of several companies and the director of MIT Designx, startup support program.