The blog post reflects on the author's experiences at McKinsey and how they influenced the development of their second startup. It discusses the lessons learned and strategies adopted from the consulting environment that shaped their entrepreneurial journey. The author emphasizes the importance of understanding competition and leveraging insights gained from previous roles.

Startup competition has evolved from concerns about technical feasibility to a crowded marketplace where standing out is paramount. Founders must develop hard-to-replicate technology, unique distribution channels, and serve overlooked markets to create competitive advantages in an increasingly fast-paced environment. With the rise of no-code tools and global talent, the barriers to entry have lowered, making it essential for startups to establish strong moats early on.

Participating in a Startup Weekend competition in Italy, the team developed and pitched their startup idea, Fitravel, which addresses the challenge of maintaining fitness routines while traveling. They learned key lessons in problem identification, market research, and effective pitching, ultimately securing first place in the competition.