Most founders think success comes only from strong connections—mentors, close partners, trusted allies. The truth is different. Weak ties—casual acquaintances, a friend of a friend, someone you met once—often unlock the biggest opportunities.

​Mark Granovetter proved this decades ago: weak ties bring fresh information, new markets, unexpected introductions. Your inner circle repeats what you already know. Weak ties give you what you don’t.

Strong networks become echo chambers. Everyone thinks alike, acts alike, and misses what’s outside. Weak ties break the pattern. They spark serendipity, diversity, and new growth.

Practical steps? Map your broader circle. Reconnect with someone you haven’t spoken to in a year. Share value before you ask. Use LinkedIn, events, and small gestures to keep bridges alive.

Funding, talent, markets—these rarely come from your closest friends. They come from the edges of your network. Weak ties are your startup’s hidden superpower.

Why Less Money Makes Stronge... Jan 21 · Brainwaves 2:04   ​

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