The article first appeared in Forbes.Com.
Entrepreneurship has always been a test of endurance. But I believe that in 2026, it’s also going to be a test of reinvention.
In a world reshaped by AI acceleration, hybrid work and shifting investor priorities, the old startup playbook no longer applies. Founders are navigating faster cycles, tighter funding markets and global teams that move at digital speed.
The good news? Innovation continues to accelerate. Global venture capital funding rose 25% in the first half of 2025 to $189.9 billion, demonstrating that investors still back big, bold ideas. However, they’re also looking for smarter execution and sustainable scale.
To thrive in this new era of killer competition and accelerating change, founders must rethink everything—from how they build teams to how they fund, position their companies and lead.
Based on my experience and conversation with founders, here are a few tips for rewriting the startup playbook for 2026 and beyond.
1. Believe in your idea, but pressure-test it.
Along the entrepreneurial journey, every founder hears “no.” Critics and skeptics are their fuel for resilience. But in markets that can pivot overnight, conviction isn’t enough. While believing in your idea is important, validating it against real-time data and customer behavior is key to survival.
The pandemic permanently reshaped our buying, learning and working habits. By regularly pressure-testing your assumptions—through customer pilots, data-driven trend analysis or live-market testing—you can spot shifts before they become threats.
Consider AI: It has ruled venture capital investing in 2025. Startups in this space have received $192.7 billion this year so far, marking the first time more than half of total VC dollars flowed into AI, per Bloomberg. In my view, this is proof that investors reward founders who align conviction with emerging reality.
2. Think in sprints, not decades.
Ten-year business plans may still impress investors, but in volatile markets, they offer little protection. Today’s founders must balance long-term vision with six- to twelve-month “sprints” that allow for rapid course corrections.
There are a number of established companies that exemplify the power of short sprints. OpenAI, for instance, has released frequent updates for ChatGPT, while Nvidia has reportedly adopted a faster cadence where it’s launching new AI chips every year instead of every two years. This tells me that short-term iteration can fuel long-term market leadership.
The pattern is clear: In this economy, short-term agility isn’t just a competitive edge. It’s table stakes. However, remember that you still have to keep an eye on the future.
3. Find the right mentor in a global, hybrid world.
Today’s entrepreneurial ecosystem is more global and digital than ever before. Startup founders are no longer confined to Wall Street hallways or Silicon Valley corridors. With hybrid work and globally distributed teams, mentorship itself has gone global, which happens to be a gift and a challenge.
With countless online experts and LinkedIn thought leaders vying for attention, the abundance of advice can be overwhelming. The key is discernment. Choose mentors who’ve built and scaled real companies and who understand today’s realities of cross-border fundraising, international collaboration and virtual leadership. For instance, when I decided to become an entrepreneur, I chose three mentors. They were leaders who had each built, scaled and sold companies several times over. They not only helped me grow, but also opened doors for me.
In a distributed world, mentorship isn’t just about advice and proximity. It’s about experience, alignment and access.
4. Build a purpose-driven, resilient brand.
Purpose has become a business necessity. I’m finding that customers and employees alike now expect brands to stand for something, such as sustainability, inclusivity or ethical growth.
Younger generations increasingly expect businesses to take a stand—not just on profits but on purpose. Climate action, supply chain ethics and employee well-being have become core decision factors for both consumers and job seekers. In fact, Deloitte’s 2025 report found that 89% of Gen Zs and 92% of millennials say meaningful work and purpose are “very or somewhat important” when it comes to driving job satisfaction and well-being.
Purpose and social impact are no longer marketing messages; they’re markers of resilience. When disruption hits—and it will—I believe companies grounded in purpose are more likely to recover faster, attract stronger talent and earn long-term loyalty. In short: Purpose helps build resilience.
5. Master the pivot from crisis to catalyst.
The pandemic proved that pivots aren’t just survival tactics. They can also be growth engines. I’ve lived this firsthand. Through the pandemic and in today’s volatile market, I’ve not only guided companies through pivots but also refocused my firm’s strategy to stay relevant and visible. At the height of the pandemic, for example, we designed a series of virtual events for clients that drew thousands of live viewers and helped them stay visible and relevant, even though events aren’t our core business. I also saw a number of startups retool operations, diversify supply chains or embrace remote work and actually accelerate, not just endure.
To win today, founders must design flexibility into their company’s DNA by building systems that turn uncertainty into momentum. Whether it’s deploying AI tools, re-engineering supply chains or creating distributed teams, every pivot is a chance to reimagine what’s possible.
6. Lead with humility; win with empathy.
In a distributed world, I see humility as a growth strategy. Once dismissed as a soft skill, it has become a strategic advantage. I’ve found humility builds trust, strengthens culture and drives retention. The best leaders today aren’t the loudest or most visible. They’re the ones who listen, create space for others to contribute and lead with empathy.
Modern leadership is about empowering teams and embracing diversity of thought—regardless of background, geography or title. Founders must communicate transparently, celebrate small wins and cultivate cultures grounded in gratitude and trust.
The bottom line: Resilience is still the real innovation.
Entrepreneurship in 2026 and beyond will remain as exhilarating and as demanding as ever.
As technology, capital and culture collide, the next generation of founders will be defined not by how fast they scale, but by how intentionally they adapt.
In (re)writing the playbook for 2026 and beyond, entrepreneurship itself is being redesigned. It’s more distributed, more data-driven and more human than ever before.
Parna Sarkar-Basu is the founder of B&B Consulting and writes about entrepreneurship, transformation, innovation & tech for good.