As I sit here, reflecting on the past year with Aureal, it's been quite a journey. A rollercoaster of ups and downs, challenges, and moments of triumph. What sets us apart, though, is our willingness to embrace failures and use them as stepping stones.
A Challenging Year:
The truth is, the past year has been a tough one. Personal issues took me away from the project for a while, and that led to some setbacks. As a first-time founder, it hasn't been easy to keep going and sharing updates.
Facing Adversity:
We've faced our fair share of adversity – from losing team members and important code, to financial struggles, irate customers, and disappointed users. There were bills to pay, pressure from family, and even disappointed investors. It felt like the world was against us.
But Let's Focus on the Positive:
Amidst the challenges, there have been bright spots. We've formed partnerships, explored new avenues like music and blockchain, and ventured into conferences and meetups around the world. We've been part of ETH India, ETH Dubai, Founders Day, Polygon's Blockchain Week, ETH Denver, ETH Tokyo, and Token 2049. It's been a whirlwind.
The Human Side of Entrepreneurship:
I've hesitated to share the personal side of my journey over the past year. Honestly, there have been times when I wasn't proud of myself. I questioned whether I should keep going or just let it all go. Fear had its grip on me.
Losing the Team:
In May 2022, our initial team had to leave for personal reasons or better opportunities. Since then, I've taken on the responsibility of keeping Aureal alive, even when coding wasn't possible due to financial constraints. That's when I shifted my focus to fundraising and building partnerships.
Our Approach to Funding:
You might wonder why we didn't turn to DHF for more funds. We believe in taking what we need, not a penny more. We received funds unconditionally, and while that helped us survive, it's also a double-edged sword. Unconditional money can lead to complacency, and we want to keep pushing forward.
The FoundershipHQ Connection:
Amid the challenges, we connected with FoundershipHQ, a Web 3 accelerator that provided us with a lifeline. Suddenly, we were introduced to VCs and showcased at international conferences. Deals were on the horizon, but there was a twist.
A Comedy of Errors:
We're humans, many times we can't figure out the errors and they go critically wrong.
During a critical due diligence phase, one of our users expressed frustration about Aureal in a rather unconventional way on Discord. Unfortunately, this was seen by a potential investor, and that deal slipped through our fingers. Talk about unexpected plot twists!
The Realities of Life:
Life isn't always fair, and this year proved that in many ways. Personal accidents, financial strain, and a string of rejections tested our resilience. But we kept going because that's what entrepreneurs do.
The Silver Lining:
Amid the chaos, we forged partnerships with organizations that are crucial to Aureal's future. Unstoppable Domains, Ceramic Network, Polygon, Sui Blockchain, LivePeer, Spheron Network and others share our vision of co-developing solutions for mass adoption.
What Lies Ahead:
Looking back at this rollercoaster year, it's clear that challenges are part of the journey. We've learned, grown, and have exciting plans for the future. The road ahead may have bumps, but we're ready to tackle them head-on.
Special Thanks:
I can't express enough gratitude to those who've supported us, including @lpfaust , @crimsonclad, @brianoflondon , @epodcaster, @traciyork, @starkerz, and @alessandrawhite . Your guidance has been invaluable.
The Good News:
On a positive note, we've received a grant from the Department of Science and Technology (DST) under the National Mission of Interdisciplinary Cyber Physical Systems (NMICPS). More deals with institutional investors are in the pipeline.
In Conclusion:
So, here's to a year filled with challenges and adventures. Failure may have been a frequent visitor, but it's also been our greatest teacher. With your support, Aureal is gearing up for remarkable progress in the months ahead.
Stay tuned for updates, and thank you for believing in our journey.
Warm regards,