According to Fortune, nine out of ten start-ups fail.  Cold statistics like these are not intended to discourage entrepreneurs, but to encourage them to work smarter and harder.

If you ask the experts why start-ups fall short, you will might hear about “horses” (that is, the opportunities start-ups are targeting) and “jockeys” (the founders). Both are important, but if forced to choose, most VCs would favour an able founder over an attractive opportunity. Consequently, when asked to explain why a promising new venture eventually stumbled, most are inclined to cite the inadequacies of its founders—in particular, their lack of grit, industry acumen, or leadership ability.

Read the full article in Energy Central here.