Stop Chasing Unicorns: Why Startups Need to Build for Connection, Not Just Speed

You’ve got the funding. The roadmap. The all-star team that ships fast.
So why does it still feel like something’s off?

Speed might get you out of the gate, but it’s not what keeps you in the race. According to innovation strategist Julian Boxenbaum, the biggest factor separating startups that break through from those that burn out has nothing to do with pace… and everything to do with people.

In his conversation on Faces of Innovation, Julian shares why the real differentiator isn’t how fast your team moves, but how deeply they connect. Because the ideas that truly change the game? They don’t come from hustle alone.

They come from trust. From tension. From connection.

Keep reading to find out why your team’s next breakthrough won’t be built on speed—unless connection comes first.

WHY STARTUPS OBSESS OVER SPEED—AND WHY THAT’S NOT ENOUGH

Startups are trained to focus on rapid launches and non-stop momentum. Investors reward visible progress. Founders feel the clock ticking from day one. But Julian’s experience working with both tiny startups and giant corporates reveals what happens when teams treat speed as the end goal.

• When everyone races ahead, people lose sight of the bigger picture and start fixing surface-level problems.
  
  
• Silos form quickly, even in small teams, because there’s no time to share thinking or connect ideas across roles.
  
  
• Teams risk burning out and missing the “why” behind their work. The real opportunities go unnoticed because no one is looking up.
  
  

As Julian puts it, “If you understand those connections, you will have a successful outcome.”

WHAT “CONNECTION” REALLY MEANS FOR STARTUPS

Connection isn’t about having a friendly culture or open office plans. It’s about building intentional relationships between people, ideas, and skills. Julian’s approach—what he calls “connection design”—means setting up your team so the right insights actually reach the right people at the right time.

Here’s what that looks like in practice:

• People from every function are part of big conversations, not just their own lane.
  
  
• Teams ask “why is this the real problem?” instead of jumping straight to a solution.
  
  
• Leaders value curiosity, tough questions, and debates, knowing this is where the breakthroughs happen.
  
  
• Knowledge gets shared, not hoarded, so decisions get stronger with every project.
  
  

The startups that succeed aren’t always the ones that move fastest, but the ones that connect best.

HOW FOUNDERS CAN BUILD TEAMS AROUND CONNECTION

If you want your team to build something that lasts, you need to do more than hire fast movers. You need to design for connection from the start.

Some practical ways to do this:

• Bring different perspectives together early, not just when it’s time to fix a problem.
  
  
• Encourage sharing, not just execution. Make it normal for teams to challenge each other’s thinking.
  
  
• Celebrate people who help the team see around corners or spot hidden patterns—not just the ones who “get it done.”
  
  
• Invest in regular, honest conversations about what’s working and what isn’t. Real progress happens when everyone is in the loop.
  
  

THE PAYOFF: CONNECTION IS THE ADVANTAGE THAT LASTS

It’s easy to chase growth, fundraising, and the next launch. But the teams that stand out are the ones who take time to connect—across roles, disciplines, and ideas. They find opportunities no one else sees and adapt faster when the unexpected hits.

Julian’s advice to founders is simple: If you’re only optimizing for speed, you’re setting a limit on what your team can achieve. Connection is how you break through those limits and build something that can actually scale.

HOW TO HIRE FOR CONNECTION—NOT JUST SPEED

If you’re a founder or hiring lead, don’t just look for solo performers who can crank through tasks. Use these criteria instead:

Look for candidates who:

• Have worked on projects requiring input from multiple disciplines.
  
  
• Ask thoughtful questions about the bigger picture, not just their own tasks.
  
  
• Value feedback and collaboration as much as getting things “done.”
  
  

And, avoid:

• Building a team of “lone wolves” who can’t (or won’t) connect with others.
  
  
• Prioritizing only raw speed over shared learning and open communication.
  
  

As Julian puts it:

“If you understand those connections, you will have a successful outcome.”

HOW BAMBOO X HELPS YOU BUILD TEAMS THAT CONNECT

At Bamboo X, we know the difference between just filling a role and finding the right fit for innovation. We help early-stage startups:

• Identify candidates who strengthen the connections across your team, not just check boxes on a skills list.
  
  
• Uncover talent who see and solve for the “spaces between” where most startups either win or stall.
  
  
• Build cultures where learning, curiosity, and collaboration move just as fast as your roadmap.
  
  

If you’re ready to build a team that doesn’t just run, but runs together, fill out the form below to connect with us.

Ready to build a team that sees the bigger picture? Fill Out the form below

If you want help finding people who think this way, not just move fast, reach out to Bamboo X. Fill out the form below and let’s build something that lasts.