Life’s too short to pursue something crappy

Lessons from the investors at South Park Commons

We recently had a chance to talk with Arian Agrawal and Dylan Itzikowitz, investors at South Park Commons about how they help founders build conviction in an idea - or as they put it "moving from -1 to 0." Here’s their advice for Founders starting their journey:

“Negative one to zero is the pursuit of identifying what it is you want to pursue, whereas zero to one is like, okay, now we are somewhat convicted in this—how do we get it off the ground.”

For many founders, the hardest part isn’t building the product—it’s figuring out what to build in the first place. SPC describes the journey from “negative one to zero” as the messy, exploratory stage of experimentation. This is where you throw ideas at the wall, test hypotheses, and let curiosity guide you.

The key is embracing uncertainty. Founders often join programs like SPC with one or two ideas in mind, only to discover an entirely different opportunity through exploration. Why? Because this phase reveals not just what’s possible, but what’s truly worth your time and effort.

Don’t rush it. The time spent uncovering your conviction now can save you from chasing the wrong goals later.

“You learn so much more in a shorter period by being open to feedback and criticism.”

Building conviction in your product idea requires a willingness to embrace feedback and criticism. The more open you are, the faster you’ll learn. At SPC, weekly lunchtime demos provide founders with a space to share work, spark conversations, and gather actionable feedback.

Equally important is the ability to let go of ideas that aren’t working. Killing an idea isn’t failure—it’s progress. The faster you move on from a dead end, the closer you get to something that works.

“Finding a co-founder is like dating; it’s a marriage. Spend time with them, fight, yell, and see how you both react in hard times and good times.”

Choosing the right co-founder is one of the most critical decisions you’ll make. Strong partnerships are built on mutual respect, shared values, and complementary skills—not just a shared idea. After all, ideas will evolve, pivot, or even change entirely, but the strength of your co-founder relationship must endure.

When searching for a co-founder, present your authentic self—your skills, values, and long-term ambitions. Don’t just sell them on the idea; show them why you’re someone worth embarking on a 10-year journey with. Test the waters, have tough conversations, and make sure you’re aligned for the long haul.

“Spending three to six months really thinking through the maximum version of what you could build was a good exercise before fully committing.”

The transition from side hustle to full-time startup is often filled with uncertainty. How do you know it’s the right time? SPC suggests looking for market pull—clear demand from users or customers that signals your idea has real potential.

Before you quit your day job, stress-test your concept. Build a prototype, gather feedback, and think through the most ambitious version of your idea. Can you envision a future worth pursuing? If yes, that’s your green light to go all in.

Let the market—not just your passion—guide your decision to commit full-time

Upcoming Lynx Collective Events

(Dec 3) J2 Ventures with Christine Keung - Fresh off of a $150M raise for its second fund, J2 Ventures will be joining us to give founders a peek into how the firm is actively deploying capital into startups that are selling into the government.

(Dec 4) Building the Future of Ethereum: Ethereum Collective Foundation (ECF) Meet & Greet - The Ethereum Collective Foundation (ECF) is dedicated to empowering builders, innovators, and the broader Ethereum community. One of their key initiatives is the ECF Residency Program in NYC, running from late January to March 2025. ​Join us for an evening filled with lively conversations, tasty snacks, and refreshing drinks as we explore the exciting initiatives of ECF.

(Dec 12) Inside: Primary Ventures w/ Sam Toole - Join us for a fireside chat with Primary Venture Partners, New York's leading early-stage venture firm, managing over $1 billion in assets with a team of 50 full-time professionals. In this session, Partner Sam Toole will share insights into Primary's unique investment approach and his focus on the Health Tech sector.