Cameron Adams
5 min read
“The best way to predict the future is to create it.”
This timeless insight from renowned 20th-century Austrian-America management consultant Peter Drucker is especially relevant for startup leaders who aim to build something that stands the test of time.
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In today’s digital economy, global expansion has never been easier—yet many tech founders are still focused on an initial geographical market. While starting with that thinking may seem practical, failing to embed a global mindset from the get-go can limit long-term potential.
The reality is, startups that delay international thinking face tougher roadblocks later—scaling infrastructure, product-market fit, cultural nuances, and competition become bigger hurdles than necessary. The best startups anticipate these challenges early, positioning for global impact before opening a second office.
I’ve seen this firsthand—setting out to empower the world with your company’s tools shouldn’t just be a tagline; it should shape every product decision, hire, and expansion effort. For founders unsure where to start, here’s what I’ve learned about building global-first from day one.
A strong vision serves as a guiding light through the thousands of decisions a company must make. Startups that scale successfully have a clear and ambitious purpose that informs their strategy from day one.
For example, at Canva, we’ve aimed to make our product accessible to anyone, anywhere in the world. And while this seemed massively aspirational at our founding, it’s helped us avoid complacency, and feels more realistic as you focus on hitting incremental milestones. In the early days, you won’t be able to build a solution for every conceivable challenge. Focusing on your most obvious core audience, or, finding a niche that isn’t too restrictive—tools for real estate, e-commerce, marketing, etc.—can ensure the foundation to support future expansion.
Balancing ambition with practicality isn’t just a challenge—it’s a necessity. Those who master it pave the way for sustainable, scalable global success.
Startups often face resource constraints, making it tempting to prioritize short-term gains over long-term scalability. However, founders must resist the urge to build products solely for their initial market. Instead, they should develop solutions with modularity and adaptability in mind.
