
The Accelerator Conundrum is a multipart series that challenges the prevailing wisdom of the tech startup ecosystem that entrepreneurs should Blitzscale out of the gate. Written by Sramana Mitra, the Founder and CEO of One Million by One Million (1Mby1M), the world’s first global virtual accelerator, it emphatically argues that a better strategy is to Bootstrap First, Raise Money Later, focus on customers, revenues and profits. 1Mby1M’s mission is to help a Million entrepreneurs reach a million dollars in annual revenue and beyond. Sramana’s Digital Mind AI Mentor virtually mentors entrepreneurs around the world in 57 languages. Try it out!
Syria’s startup ecosystem exists against the backdrop of extraordinary challenges: years of conflict, economic sanctions, limited infrastructure, and ongoing political instability. Yet, even under these difficult conditions, a growing number of Syrian entrepreneurs are striving to create innovative solutions to local problems and build a better future. This kind of entrepreneurship is critical for rebuilding economies and fostering stability in post-conflict societies.
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The Accelerator Conundrum is a multipart series that challenges the prevailing wisdom of the tech startup ecosystem that entrepreneurs should Blitzscale out of the gate. Written by Sramana Mitra, the Founder and CEO of One Million by One Million (1Mby1M), the world’s first global virtual accelerator, it emphatically argues that a better strategy is to Bootstrap First, Raise Money Later, focus on customers, revenues and profits. 1Mby1M’s mission is to help a Million entrepreneurs reach a million dollars in annual revenue and beyond. Sramana’s Digital Mind AI Mentor virtually mentors entrepreneurs around the world in 57 languages. Try it out!
Yemen’s startup ecosystem is still at a very nascent stage. Years of political instability, conflict, and economic hardship have created enormous barriers for entrepreneurship. Yet, even in this challenging environment, there are young innovators and aspiring entrepreneurs who are seeking ways to solve local problems and build sustainable livelihoods. The key to unlocking this potential is providing accessible, founder-first resources that are not bound by geography, politics, or physical infrastructure.
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The Accelerator Conundrum is a multipart series that challenges the prevailing wisdom of the tech startup ecosystem that entrepreneurs should Blitzscale out of the gate. Written by Sramana Mitra, the Founder and CEO of One Million by One Million (1Mby1M), the world’s first global virtual accelerator, it emphatically argues that a better strategy is to Bootstrap First, Raise Money Later, focus on customers, revenues and profits. 1Mby1M’s mission is to help a Million entrepreneurs reach a million dollars in annual revenue and beyond. Sramana’s Digital Mind AI Mentor virtually mentors entrepreneurs around the world in 57 languages. Try it out!
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has built one of the most dynamic startup ecosystems in the Middle East. Dubai and Abu Dhabi, in particular, have positioned themselves as global hubs for innovation, attracting talent, capital, and multinational players. Government-backed initiatives, corporate accelerators, and private programs work together to make the UAE a magnet for startups from across the region.
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The Accelerator Conundrum is a multipart series that challenges the prevailing wisdom of the tech startup ecosystem that entrepreneurs should Blitzscale out of the gate. Written by Sramana Mitra, the Founder and CEO of One Million by One Million (1Mby1M), the world’s first global virtual accelerator, it emphatically argues that a better strategy is to Bootstrap First, Raise Money Later, focus on customers, revenues and profits. 1Mby1M’s mission is to help a Million entrepreneurs reach a million dollars in annual revenue and beyond. Sramana’s Digital Mind AI Mentor virtually mentors entrepreneurs around the world in 57 languages. Try it out!
Lebanon is a study in resilience. The entrepreneurial energy is high, technical talent is strong, multilingualism is the norm, and founders often think globally from day one—out of necessity. But the trade-offs in the accelerator-incubator ecosystem here mirror many of those I have seen elsewhere in The Accelerator Conundrum.
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RainmakerForce CRO Mack Sundaram had built a successful business optimized for autonomy and profitability when we spoke in 2018, and the company was acquired in 2023. Excellent navigation!
Sramana Mitra: Let’s go to the very beginning of your journey. Tell us where you’re from. Where did you grow up? Where were you born and raised?
Mack Sundaram: I was born in South India in a village near Chennai. I spent some time of my childhood in Chennai and Pondicherry. I later went to school in New Delhi. Since then, I moved over to the United States where I had an opportunity to pursue a doctoral degree in Economics. That’s where the transition happened.

Yesterday, Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) announced a $38 billion deal with OpenAI that sent its stock soaring. Last week, Amazon announced strong quarterly results that had already sent the stock soaring 10% to an all-time high in the after-hours trading session.
>>>Sramana Mitra: So, is vertical AI your primary investment thesis?
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The Accelerator Conundrum is a multipart series that challenges the prevailing wisdom of the tech startup ecosystem that entrepreneurs should Blitzscale out of the gate. Written by Sramana Mitra, the Founder and CEO of One Million by One Million (1Mby1M), the world’s first global virtual accelerator, it emphatically argues that a better strategy is to Bootstrap First, Raise Money Later, focus on customers, revenues and profits. 1Mby1M’s mission is to help a Million entrepreneurs reach a million dollars in annual revenue and beyond. Sramana’s Digital Mind AI Mentor virtually mentors entrepreneurs around the world in 57 languages. Try it out!
Here’s how I see Jordan’s accelerator ecosystem through The Accelerator Conundrum framework — and how 1Mby1M with an AI Mentor in Arabic & English (and French optional where useful) could materially shift outcomes for Jordanian founders.
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