Loneliness is the silent killer of innovation.

I've seen it happen repeatedly - someone voices an idea in a room, and instantly, people shut it down. That moment creates a profound isolation. It's not just the idea being rejected; the person themselves receives the message: "You are not worthy. You cannot innovate. You cannot be an entrepreneur."

This instant loneliness is devastating. I've watched a highly innovative delivery app fail - not because the concept lacked merit, but because the technically brilliant founders had no one to turn to when facing marketing challenges. I've seen a potentially game-changing podcast die because its creator couldn't sustain consistent output in isolation. The list is endless.

Society has created a paradox: people are increasingly alone yet not equipped for solitude. The entrepreneurial journey magnifies this problem. When you're building something new, you're already stepping away from the crowd. Add immediate (and generally constant) rejection to that equation, and the isolation becomes overwhelming.

Rejection is inevitable, and indeed necessary - but having no-one/nothing to lean on is not.

I'm fortunate. Since 16 years old, I've worked directly with business owners or run my own ventures. I've had real mentors who showed me the way.

But even with idea-L, I face isolation almost daily.

Only two things get me through:

1. The things I have done before that I can lean on; lessons that relieve loneliness.

2. Having two phenomenal co-founders.

Perhaps in-built character traits have some influence - but character does not equate to self-support at your lowest place.

Without these two things, I would have given up a long time ago.

What truly works isn't repeating empty affirmations into a mirror or reciting success mantras. It's proving to yourself that you can overcome challenges. It's building evidence of your own resilience rather than trying to convince yourself through positive thinking alone.

Affirmation through action.

When I look at the difference support makes, it's stark. Having the right people around you multiplies your chances of success by 10x - maybe even more. Not because they do the work, but because they prevent that crushing loneliness from convincing you to abandon your vision.

We need to build better systems that combat entrepreneurial isolation. Not just more apps and funding mechanisms, but human connections that prevent good ideas from dying in solitude.

Because the most dangerous moment for any innovation isn't market rejection – it's that quiet moment when its creator, completely alone, decides they aren't worthy of continuing the fight.