How a Founder Turned Failure into a $2 Billion Success Story

Starting a business is tough, and sometimes, things don't go as planned. Francis Pedraza knows this well. His first startup didn't work out because it didn't have a clear business model. Even with big-name investors and a lot of hard work, the company couldn't find its way. But Pedraza didn't give up. He learned from his mistakes and used that knowledge to build two successful companies: Invisible Technologies and Infinity Constellation. Invisible Technologies is changing how software-as-a-service (SaaS) works. Instead of selling subscriptions, they offer custom IT solutions. This means they handle all the messy, complicated problems for their customers. Investors were skeptical at first, but customers loved the idea. Pedraza saw this as an opportunity to do something different and be a pioneer in the industry. Pedraza also realized that humans are a big part of making processes work. Invisible Technologies started by breaking down customers' processes into small steps and integrating different apps. But they quickly realized that sometimes, you need a human touch to make things work. So, they built a global network of expert agents to help out. Another key lesson Pedraza learned is that having a few big clients can be both a blessing and a challenge. Since 2020, his business has grown rapidly by focusing on major deals with a small number of clients. While this can lead to quick growth, it also means that all your resources and energy go into making those few clients happy. The key is to make sure those clients are so satisfied that they refer others to you. When it comes to funding, Pedraza knows that it's not just about the money. It's about how you use it. His latest funding round came with great terms, but it was also a success because he had a solid plan for how to spend the money. Instead of hiring more salespeople, he brought in a experienced CEO. This turned out to be a smart move, as it brought in valuable experience and avoided potential mistakes that could have wasted a lot of capital.