Every startup begins with a vision. But to make that vision a reality, entrepreneurs and aspiring leaders need more than a dream — they need money. This typically leads to a chase after what many consider the holy grail: funding. However, with venture capital (VC) funding hitting a decade-low in 2023, funding has become more scarce and especially hard to secure for those companies in their early stages.

Many young companies don't realize that funding is not the only path to success. In fact, a lack of funding can be a company's secret weapon. READ MORE