After automation: Solo founding will be the default

AI and automation have dramatically reduced the time and resources needed to start a company, causing solo founding to nearly double from 19% to 39% of new startups between 2018 and 2026. While solo founding eliminates the interpersonal conflicts that kill 65% of high-potential startups, the new challenge will be founder loneliness—the lack of human support, feedback, and encouragement needed to push through difficulties. Success for solo founders will depend on building community with other solo founders and surrounding themselves with resources rather than taking on cofounders out of necessity.