Parashat Bereshit

“Bereshit”

The name of this weeks Torah portion “Bereshit” which literally means “In the beginning.” In the creation of the universe, we are bound to find lessons on creating a startup.

One verse that stood out to me was

And God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.”

• Genesis 1:26

“Let us create man: shows how man was created differently than the creatures which used “Let the earth bring forth.”

Hashem consulted with the Angels on if and how man should be created. When Moses wrote the Torah this verse in the plural implies multiple creators ” Sovereign of the Universe! Why do you thus furnish a pretext for heretics to maintain that there is a plurality of divinities?” “Write!” G-d replied. “Whoever wishes to error will err… Instead, let them learn from their creator who created all yet when he came to create man he took counsel with the ministering angels. (Midrash)

Here we learn Hashem taught that one should always consult others before embarking upon major new initiatives.

Another quote from Pirkei Avot

 מַרְבֶּה עֵצָה, מַרְבֶּה תְבוּנָה. The more counsel, the more understanding.

If Hashem the creator of the universe sought counsel from his administrators that he created; how much more so a CEO should look to his advisors and directors for how to launch a new product.

G-d said, “It is not good for man to be alone; I will make a fitting helper for him.”

• Genesis.2.18

Similarly number one on Paul Graham’s list of Mistakes That Kill Startups is being a Single Founder.

“Starting a startup is too hard for one person. Even if you could do all the work yourself, you need colleagues to brainstorm with, to talk you out of stupid decisions, and to cheer you up when things go wrong.”

The data does suggest that having a co-founder is optional, I would doubt that the solo founders had no outside help along the way. No man is an island.