The text draws parallels between running a new technology company like Encord and the hit Netflix series Squid Game, highlighting the challenges and tribulations faced by both startups and contestants alike. Fundraising can be brutal, with investors looking for reasons to say no rather than yes, while product development requires simplicity and focus to avoid complexity and resource-intensive maintenance. Building an effective team is crucial, but also adaptable and communicative to navigate uncertain environments. Difficult choices must be made, often at personal cost, and startups are inherently risky, relying on luck and implicit bets that can go wrong despite execution and a strong team. Ultimately, overcoming competition is only a small element of success, and the emphasis should be on solving real problems rather than beating competitors, with most markets operating under a winner-take-all configuration being rare.