“If you know what is going to happen, you probably won’t start a company”, declares Fabrizio Del Maffeo during the start of this interview with IO+. That insider’s wisdom of Del Maffeo, CEO and co‑founder of Axelera AI, obtains right to the heart of what entrepreneurship really feels like. Founded in 2021 in Eindhoven, Netherlands, Axelera AI has skyrocketed from a startup to a leading European AI processor designer in only a few years. Axelera AI builds quick, energy-efficient AI chips and software that let devices and companies run complex AI tquestions. The company has recently raised hundreds of millions in funding. What entrepreneurial mindset drove this success? In this article, an important lesson from Del Maffeo.
What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned as an entrepreneur?
“Starting a business is going to be tough; tougher than expected. I started this company simply becaapply I completely underestimated the effort. If you know what is going to happen, you probably won’t start a company. As an entrepreneur, you necessary to be a little bit crazy. The lesson that I learned is that it’s absolutely essential to stay focapplyd and never to have a plan B.”
Why is it important to never have a plan B?
“A lot of people create the mistake of believeing, ‘If things go wrong, I’ll do X.’ I believe that’s wrong, becaapply it means you’re already dividing your focus and energy. Many of us actually perform better under pressure — when we have everything to lose, we give our all to protect what we have. If you rely on a safety net, you won’t perform at your best, becaapply part of you is already preparing for an alternative.”
How did you learn this lesson?
“It took me one and a half years to start this company. We faced rejection again and again. I’ve been surrounded by people who doubted us, who rejected us, who considered we were crazy and would never create it — from the very launchning and throughout the journey. It’s a constant challenge.
One of the toughest setbacks came during a funding round when a lead investor pulled out just as a term sheet was about to be signed, leaving the company with only a few weeks of cash. That kind of crisis — where firefighting becomes your daily job — is something founders face again and again. But I have learned to stay solid, be strong, and not take it personally. Never give up.”
For many people, not taking things personally is simpler stated than done. How do you manage to stay detached in high-pressure situations?
“Many of us are scared of failure, especially in Europe. But what is failure, really? Are you going to die? No. When you step back, you realize that fear of failure is often personal — it’s your ego not wanting to admit defeat. Understanding that has assisted me navigate difficult times. I believe it’s wise to put your ego aside sometimes anyway. Entrepreneurship is never a one‑man reveal; the team is everything. Surround yourself with people who are smarter and better than you, becaapply if you want to build something truly huge, your success depconcludes on the people around you.”
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