The superman complex
Issue #06: Is a lone hero mindset slowing you down?
Asking for help doesn’t come naturally to most founders.
Most have been burned by an unhelpful board meeting or a well-meaning but misguided peer at some point, leaving them with the feeling that they need to figure everything out for themselves. It’s your company, and if you want something done right… probably best just to do it yourself.
There’s nothing inherently ‘wrong’ with this. After some wrong turns and iterations, you will probably arrive at the solution eventually — sometimes after learning the hard way (maybe I should have paid more attention to my cofounder’s early red flags…) — banking the learning for next time. There is a lot of value in a founder’s scrappiness and fierce sense of responsibility.
But getting the right support from people who know what they’re talking about can shortcut the process, getting your company to where it needs to be faster — which counts for a lot when you have a limited runway. It’s not about being passive or delegating, but sharing the load when it’s in your company’s best interest.
The good news is, there is tons of high-quality help out there, ranging from comprehensive models like startup studios to targeted solutions like cofounder matching programs or VC mentors.
There is a model to suit most founders’ unique way of working, personality, and needs — you just need to know what they are, and where to look.
Files from Hexa
🍰 FAQ: Is Hexa worth 30%?
Is giving up 30% equity to Hexa post-seed worth it? This article explores Hexa’s hands-on model—covering everything from operational support, cofounder matching, strategic guidance, and funding—which helps startups achieve milestones more quickly and efficiently. Hexa’s track record includes 3 out of 40+ startups becoming billion-dollar companies, significantly increasing the odds of success. Alumni explain why giving up 30% equity was, for them, a valuable exchange for a deeper involvement and a higher chance of success with fewer risks.
🚀 Accelerators, incubators, startup studios, and more: which ones are best for launching a startup?
Navigating the growing number of startup support programs—startup studios, accelerators, incubators, co-founder matching programs, and venture capital—can be overwhelming. This article breaks down the key differences between these models to help entrepreneurs decide which one best suits their needs. From co-founder matching programs like Antler to incubators like Station F, each program brings a unique combination of resources, financial backing, and operational involvement.
⛽ Hexa’s financial strategy to launch 100+ companies by 2030
Ever wondered what makes startup studios successful? In this article, our CFO Alexis Vilette breaks down our unique financial model, which focuses on building startups from scratch rather than just investing in them. By entering at lower valuations (by being there from day 0) and focusing on founders and ideas with high chances of success, we have pioneered a model that has generated 3 unicorns, and has placed us in the top 5% of investors.
Other files we recommend
🧹 ‘Dans la tête d’un CEO’ with Dust’s Gabriel Hubert
How Dust is managing to making generative AI more useful for businesses.
🌉 Clef de voûte with Slite’s Christophe Pasquier
An insightful interview between Slite’s (HX17) founder and Timothé Frin about Notion’s French rival.
🦸 YC’s Paul Graham talks Founder Mode
In case you missed it somehow, Paul Graham’s take on how to stay in founder mode over manager mode as your company scales.
News
🪨 Basalt (HX24) goes live
Our third company of the year has launched: introducing Basalt (HX24), the playground for crafting great AI features. Founders Alexis d’Eudeville and Guillaume Marquis believe that the entire team should be involved in the AI-crafting process, so the right experts—engineers, PMs, etc.—can contribute where needed. Basalt’s collaborative tool allows teams to prototype, test, and ship features that meet the high expectations people have of AI.
✅ ComplianceX looking for CTO/cofounder
Our OSS partner Ugo, along with the project’s new founder/CEO Antoine, have been hard at work over the summer developing an open-source MVP that enables companies to manage their compliance certifications autonomously and transparently—without feeling like they’re paying an extra tax to the usual intermediaries. They’re now seeking a technical co-founder to take things to the next level.
🏦 Fintech partner wanted at Hexa
With successes like Swan, Spendesk, Upflow, Dotfile, Numeral, and Marble under our belt, we’re eager to get the fintech ball rolling again. Only 3% of fintech has been built, and there’s still so much to build to make the industry more accurate, reliable, and flexible. We’re looking for an (aspiring) serial entrepreneur to join us and help launch our next wave of fintech companies.
📣 Hexa’s Mat Vaxelaire at B2B Rocks
It’s B2B Rocks season, and our partner Matthieu Vaxelaire will be sharing his fundraising expertise. On September 25th, join him and startup founders from Eldorado and Elaia as they discuss everything you need to know about 'Future-Proof Funding' in 2025.
Jobs
Legal Counsel at Hexa
Founding Engineer at Reki (HX24)
Senior Fullstack Engineer at Basalt (HX24)
Thanks for reading! If you have any questions or suggestions for this newsletter, don’t hesitate to hit reply. In the meantime, you can follow us on LinkedIn & Twitter.
Cheers,
The Hexa Team