Being a unicorn is all fun and games, until the money dries up. And right now, we’re in a drought.
This topic came up several times during my meetings at GamesCom.
Right now, investments and publishing deals are considerably harder to secure than even 6 months ago.
Some people at GamesCom believed that money would be more readily available again come November, starting the cycle anew.
Others felt that the worst is yet to come, with events like the Embracer studio closings generating knock-on effects that will last well into 2024.
Regardless of what the future holds, it’s worth considering alternatives to the investment-dependent, boom-or-bust unicorn model.
Bye-Bye Unicorn. Hello Camel.
One such alternative models success less on the imaginary unicorn, and on the hardy camel instead.
The comparison strikes a stark contrast.
In the unicorn model, success is predicated on:
- Spending like there’s no tomorrow
- Accelerated hiring
- Growth at all costs
- Round after round of external investments
Companies that follow the camel model, instead aim for:
- Managing cost
- A lean, efficient team: a smart mix of FTE and freelancers
- Sustainable growth
- Profitability
- Smart partnerships
As Alex Lazarow writes for Entrepreneur:
“Camels adapt to multiple climates.
Camels survive without food or water for months.
When the time is right, they can sprint rapidly for sustained periods of time.
Unlike unicorns, camels are not imaginary creatures living in fictitious lands.
They are real, resilient and can survive in the harshest places on Earth.
While the metaphor may not be as flashy, these startup camels prioritize sustainability, and thus survival, from the get-go by balancing strong growth and cash flow.”
Sure, it’s great to be a unicorn when times are flush.
But we’re in a collective drought right now, and it’s going to be the camels that survive.
Think like a camel, and I hope to see you all at the other side of the desert. ✌️🐫