There's no failure if you keep doing what you really believe in. I feel labeling an outcome as a binary success or failure is not fair. For my first tech startup, I had lofty goals - a large scale company within a few years. It didn't get to that point and after a few years, it felt like it was becoming a lifestyle company. So, from the perspective of that specific goal, I failed and I felt that way at that time. But I feel I set that goal without considering what will happen on the journey, what all factors will be in my control and what won't. Even if I considered them, I wouldn't have known numerous factors. I faced some unforeseen challenges - some real big ones e.g. the great recession and investor capital drying up overnight. It was a real grind for a few years. But looking at that journey, I acquired at least 3x learning/experience what I would have learnt in my corporate job for the same duration. I acquired confidence in my ability to create money. And I feel it also made me a more humble person. So, my suggestion is if you really believe in what you're doing, don't give up. Besides the end goal, try to enjoy the journey too. Good luck!