Investors don’t validate your startup — users do.

Investor rejection is a universal reality for startups, even those with strong products and traction.

Success often requires convincing only a small subset of investors to believe in the vision.

YC Group partner Serbi Sarna founded Envision, a medical device startup focused on cancer detection.

Sagna faced rejection from more than 50 investors while seeking the company's initial capital.

She secured her first investment by agreeing to take no salary for the first two years.

The resulting initial check was for $25,000.

Envision's total initial funding round amounted to $500,000.

The company was subsequently acquired for $275 million.