Why 90% of Startups Fail & How to Be in the 10% That Succeed l Oskar Hartmann’s Playbook

Why do 90% of startups fail while a select few become unicorns? Is it just luck, or is there a playbook for startup success?💡 In this episode of the VNTR Podcast, hosts Yuri Rabinovich & Niko Leo sit down with Oskar Hartmann – a serial entrepreneur, investor, and unicorn hunter who has launched & invested in 150+ ventures, lacked 14 unicorns from seed to billion-dollar valuations and survived 43 bankruptcies & learned what really makes a startup succeed🚀 Oskar shares his hard-earned insights on how founders can navigate the brutal world of startup investing, the importance of choosing the right business model, and why staying in the game is the ultimate key to successKey Topics Covered in This Episode:- The #1 mistake founders make when choosing a business model- How Oskar Hartmann built 14 unicorns & survived 43 bankruptcies- Angel investing vs. VC: where real opportunities lie- The power of networks & mentorship in startup success- Why traditional education is failing founders & what replaces it- Balancing entrepreneurship & personal life as a high-stakes investorVNTR is building the world’s largest investor community by sharing lessons, hosting events, and offering opportunities. Active VC investors can join by claiming a free investor account at Timestamps: 00:00  Welcome Oskar Hartmann: a unicorn builder and hunter05:47 How Education and Networks Transformed Our Mindset14:34 Choosing the Right Horse for Startup Success17:49 Why Most Founders Waste 5+ Years on the Wrong Business22:49 Funding, Failure, and the Power of Staying in the Game30:02 Success Is a Numbers Game35:01 Why Does Oskar Keep Investing in Founders After Their Startups Fail?37:15 Pay-to-Play Rounds: How Investors Protect Their Stakes in Tough Markets42:08 Balancing Angel Investing and Fatherhood45:11 The Future of Angel Investing48:08 the Long-Term Value of Networks54:52 Why Building Networks Creates Lasting Impact59:06 The Systematic Approach to Finding and Securing Top Mentors01:05:58 How to Find, Engage, and Learn from the Right Mentor------------------------------------------------------------------------------🔹VNTR Website: https://app.vntr.vc/🔹VNTR Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vntrcapital/🔹 VNTR Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vntrcap/------------------------------------------------------------------------------Oskar Hartmann:https://oskarhartmann.com/https://www.instagram.com/oskar_hartmann/https://t.me/Oskar_Hartmann------------------------------------------------------------------------------Hosts:- Yuri Rabinovich (http://linkedin.com/byuric)- Niko Leon (http://linkedin.com/nikoleon)Oskar's Bio:Oskar Hartmann is a serial entrepreneur, philanthropist, and veteran unicorn angel investor with over 100 companies, 20+ nonprofits, and 14 unicorns in his investment portfolio. He has founded five companies in Germany and CEE, achieving three successful exits, and initiated a charitable foundation focused on children’s education.Oskar holds a world record in rowing and is an avid cyclist. A family man, father of 4, and global citizen, he speaks three languages fluently. His mission is to build the world’s first community of top global angels, helping them diversify risks and expedite liquidity returns.