Looking for a new startup symbol

The world is changing, and it requires different set of qualities to stay competitive.

The Honey Badger - my new definition of a startup symbol

Given today's challenges and unpreditable obstacles, it might be the time to look for a new startup spirit animal.

We’ve seen the unicorn, the decacorn, even the cockroach as metaphors for startups. Jack Ma once spoke of the Yangtze alligator. Each has its strengths—but maybe it’s time for a new symbol: the honey badger.

Why? Because the honey badger has exactly what a startup is about:

Laser focus: once it locks on a target, nothing makes it quit—no matter if the opponent is a lion, leopard, snake, or porcupine.

Resilience: knock it down once, twice, three times—it gets back up and keeps hunting the target.

Fearlessness: it will take bee stings, venom, or larger predators head-on if that’s what it takes.

Team player when needed: can fight solo, or alongside allies—but never wastes energy attacking its team.

It doesn't need to be motivated. It doesn't need to be inspired. It doesn't have excuses. Just persistence, grit, and relentless pursuit of the goal.

Other startups might have given up. The honey badger startup doesn’t. Nothing scares it. It keeps on coming.

My personal definition of startup and certainly my favourite type.

Author

Ai Base Network (ABN), ABN ASIA was founded by people with deep roots in academia, with work experience in the US, Holland, Hungary, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and Vietnam. ABN Asia is where academia and technology meet opportunity. With our cutting-edge solutions and competent software development services, we're helping businesses level up and take on the global scene. Our commitment: Faster. Better. More reliable. In most cases: Cheaper as well.

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