Former Curse, Inc. founder and angel investor Hubert Thieblot recently took to X (formerly Twitter) to caution against the romanticization of being a startup founder, highlighting the intense realities and significant challenges involved. In a tweet posted on July 20, 2025, Thieblot stated, > "The romanticization of being a startup founder is kind of insane to me."
Thieblot, who successfully built and led Curse, Inc. as CEO until 2018, outlined several stark realities for aspiring entrepreneurs. He emphasized the statistical unlikelihood of success, the all-consuming nature of the work, the experience of "incredible lows," and the long-term commitment, often exceeding a decade. His tweet concluded with a strong assertion: > "This is insanely hard and NOT for everyone."
His perspective is strongly supported by industry data. Statistics indicate that approximately 90% of startups ultimately fail, with around 10% not surviving their first year. For first-time entrepreneurs, the success rate is even lower, hovering around 18%. This high rate of failure underscores Thieblot's point about the statistical improbability of achieving success in the startup world.
The demands of startup life often require founders to dedicate immense personal time and energy, leading to what Thieblot describes as having "no life" and being "totally consumed." This intense commitment is a common theme among entrepreneurs, where personal sacrifices are frequently made in pursuit of business growth. The journey is also characterized by significant emotional and financial volatility, contributing to "incredible lows" as companies navigate market challenges and operational hurdles.
Building a successful company is rarely a short-term endeavor. Thieblot's mention of "locking yourself in for 10+ years" reflects the reality that sustained growth and eventual exits or profitability often require a decade or more of dedicated effort. This long-term horizon, coupled with the high risk of failure, reinforces his message that entrepreneurship is a path suited only for a select few with extreme resilience and commitment.