对于创业生活的三大误解

企业家内部网络是一个在线社区，美国新创企业领域最具思想和影响力的人物会在此及时回答关于企业家和职业生涯的问题。今天的问题是：对于创业生活，有哪些最大的误解？回答者是Prezi的共同创始人和首席执行官彼得·阿尔瓦伊。

新创企业总是斗志旺盛。那里的员工会工作很长时间，为他们由衷相信的梦想奋斗，甘冒风险去尝试一些真正具有革命性的事情。一方面，人们可以用这种状态去描述许多新创企业。另一方面，人们对创业生活也有无数误解。以下三大谬见是我发现最为普遍存在的：

新创企业都来自硅谷

受美剧《硅谷》（Silicon Valley）的影响，许多人认为所有新创企业都来自这里。但实际上，波士顿、奥斯汀等美国主要城市都有自己的新创企业中心。而我和共同创始人则于2008年在布达佩斯建立了Prezi。我们在布达佩斯的办公室是多元文化的真正熔炉，团队中有来自超过27个国家的成员。

创业生活就像大学兄弟会一样

人们往往把典型的新创企业环境描绘成大学的兄弟会，人们会努力竞争，而且经常聚会。老派的硅谷员工实际上非常警惕和当心那些外向、乐于社交的程序员。但是对那些希望寻找替代品的公司来说，有很多这类员工。尽管聚会和外向是一些新创企业的特色，但大多数公司都需要各种各样的岗位，也需要适合这些岗位的性格不同的员工。一些人需要与其他人合作才能办成事情（外向型），而另一些人需要单独待着，这样他们可以保持专注完成工作（内向型）。一些新创企业喜欢喝酒和击掌相庆。但包括Prezi在内的另一些公司设有安静的办公室或冥想间，甚至是两者都有，这些小房间让人们给大脑留出了运转的空间。

你会在开始时得到风投资金的支持

聪明的创始人会有多样化的融资选择。一旦你有了想法，可能就会觉得自己需要来次电梯游说，找个风险投资人来募资。实际上，你可以把视野放得更广一些，超出这些平常的范畴，可能会对你的公司更好。

在为Prezi寻找早期投资者时，我坐飞机从布达佩斯来到纽约，面见TED的总监克里斯·安德森。我原本以为这只是一次关于合作的探讨，结果却成了一场20分钟的投资者展示，最后我们成功获得了TED的投资。对于Prezi的团队来说，这是值得骄傲的成就，因为我们很喜欢TED，这也是公司收获的第一笔大投资。

你希望投资者能做到的最重要的事情，就是了解你的公司，并认同你的愿景。

因为这些误解，我恳请读者们不要盲信关于新创企业的新闻或电视剧。相反，要去寻找最适合你性格、兴趣和职业目标的企业文化。（财富中文网）

作者：Peter Arvai

译者：严匡正

The Entrepreneur Insiders network is an online community where the most thoughtful and influential people in America’s startup scene contribute answers to timely questions about entrepreneurship and careers. Today’s answer to the question, “What are some of the biggest misconceptions about startup life?” is written by Peter Arvai, co-founder and CEO of Prezi.

Startups are scrappy. People work long hours, cling to a dream they genuinely believe in, and take risks in the hopes of creating something truly revolutionary. On one hand, this is how many startups can be described. On the other hand, there are countless misconceptions about startup life. Below are three myths I’ve found to be the most common:

Startups come from Silicon Valley

People watch the television show Silicon Valley and think that’s where all startups come from. But in reality, major U.S. cities like Boston and Austin are becoming their own startup hubs. And my co-founders and I started Prezi in Budapest in 2008. While we also opened an office in San Francisco (like many other companies), our Budapest office is a true melting pot of cultures—our team represents more than 27 countries.

Startup life is like being in a fraternity

The typical startup environment is often portrayed as a fraternity, where people compete with each other and party hard. Old-time San Franciscans are actually acutely aware and cautious of extroverted brogrammers. But for those who seek alternatives, there are plenty. While partying and extroversion are the norm in some startups, most companies need a variety of roles within the company and different personalities that fit those roles. Some need to be around others to thrive (extroverts) while others need to be alone so they can focus and get their work done (introverts). Some startups consist of drinking and high-fiving. Others, like Prezi, have quiet rooms and meditation rooms—small areas to provide brain space—and even more have a mix of both.

You get started with venture capital

Smart founders diversify their funding options. Once you have an idea, you may think you need an elevator pitch and a venture capitalist to get funding. In reality, widening your horizon—outside of the usual suspects—might be even better for your business.

When searching for early investors for Prezi, I flew from Budapest to New York to meet with TED curator Chris Anderson. That meeting, which was originally only supposed to be a partnership conversation, turned into a 20-minute investor presentation, and resulted in successfully receiving funding from TED. This was a proud achievement for the team at Prezi, since we love TED, and this was its first major investment in a company.

The most important thing you can ask from your investors is to understand your business and share your vision.

Based on these misconceptions, I urge you to question headlines you read or shows you see about startups. Instead, seek out the culture that is suited best for your personality, interests, and career goals.