Success is the ultimate blindfold. Daniel Cerventus Lim reveals how a 20-year track record of winning almost led him off a cliff—and why the smartest founders are the ones who know how to give up fast.

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In this episode of Founder F**k Ups, serial entrepreneur Daniel Cerventus Lim breaks down the "Success Trap" and why past wins often lead to future startup mistakes. As a prominent figure in SEA Tech, Daniel shares raw leadership lessons on the dangers of zombie startups—businesses that aren't growing but refuse to die. We dive deep into the sunk cost fallacy, exploring how the fear of "wasted" time and money prevents founders from scaling a business effectively.

The conversation tackles the generational divide in the workplace and why modern founders must master the "Art of Strategic Giving Up" to survive. Whether you're a first-time founder or an experienced CEO, these founder interviews offer a vulnerable look at the grit required to navigate business failure in the Malaysian ecosystem and beyond. Learn how to identify red flags early, manage team chaos, and reclaim your most valuable resource: time.

Chapter Timestamps:

00:00 The Fatal Mistake: When Success Becomes a Trap
03:01 Why Past Wins Blind You to New Red Flags
06:09 Zombie Startups: The True Cost of Stagnation
08:59 The Generational Divide: Working with Gen Alpha & "The Strawberry Generation"
12:02 Sunk Cost Fallacy: Why "Pushing Through" is Often a Mistake
16:12 The Decision Framework: When to Pivot vs. When to Quit
24:45 Work-Life Balance is a Myth for Founders
29:50 The Art of Strategic Giving Up: Reclaiming Your Momentum

#startups #FounderLife #BusinessFailure #Entrepreneurship #SEATech #SuccessTrap #FounderFuckUps #ScalingUp