If you’re a serial entrepreneur, you already know the drill: founding, scaling, pivoting, failing, and perhaps succeeding. But what if there was a way to shorten the cycle and stack the odds in your favour? That’s exactly what startup studios offer—a chance to leverage their resources, test ideas at lightning speed, and focus on doing what you do best: building.

To dive deeper into how startup studios create opportunities for founders, I spoke with Domino Mysłowski, Venture Harvester at ICEO. Domino’s track record speaks for itself: four tech companies founded, 15+ interim co-founder roles, and years spent working with leading venture builder funds.

Why Startup Studios Are a Winning Bet for Serial Entrepreneurs

"Even if you’re not a serial founder, joining a venture studio could be your chance to become one," Domino began. He explained that building a successful startup often requires up to 10 attempts—or more. "Even if you’ve already tried three or four times, success may still elude you. Maybe your previous ventures ended in failure, bankruptcy, or a modest exit."

This is where a venture studio can make all the difference. By acting as a co-founder, studios reduce the risk founders face by testing ideas, offering pre-seed funding, access to infrastructure, and even first customers.

Domino put it bluntly: "Instead of putting yourself through 10 attempts, it's worth joining a venture studio, which streamlines many of the tasks that typically drain your time, like recruiting, or finding co-founders."

The Role of Serial Entrepreneurs in Startup Studios

Serial founders are natural fits for startup studios, but the role comes with a twist. Unlike independent ventures, where the founder owns the bulk of the equity, studios offer less risk, more resources, and slightly less equity in return.

Domino noted, “If you're part of the internal team within a startup studio, you're constantly validating and creating ideas to a certain stage then moving on to new ones."

This rotational model might seem daunting at first, but there are many advantages. You gain exposure to thousands of case studies, insights into failed ideas, and firsthand experience with competitors. Plus, you’ll participate in building several companies, which sharpens your skills and habits faster than independent projects ever could.

Skills That Set Serial Entrepreneurs Apart

What does it take to succeed as a serial entrepreneur in a studio setting? According to Domino, critical thinking and the ability to solve problems are non-negotiable.

"Even as a serial founder, repeating the same mistakes over and over means you're just a serial fool," he said.

Startup studios provide a unique environment to hone these skills. Validation processes, for instance, are drastically shortened. "In a studio, you can validate an idea in hours, days, or weeks instead of months," Domino explained. This allows founders to refine their decision-making and focus on high-impact actions.

Challenges in the Studio Model and How to Overcome Them

Balancing multiple ventures is one of the toughest challenges serial entrepreneurs face in startup studios. Domino points out that the constant rotation of ideas can be overwhelming for those used to focusing deeply on one project.

"It’s a matter of mindset and recognising the benefits," he admitted. But the trade-off is worth it. By immersing yourself in multiple projects, you gain unparalleled insights into what works and what doesn’t—insights you can carry into your future ventures.

For founders looking to diversify their expertise, startup studios also open doors to new industries. "If your experience has been in Biotech or Edutech, a studio can help you step into Fintech or Web3," Domino noted.

Domino’s advice for serial entrepreneurs considering a studio model is straightforward: embrace it as a learning ground.

For seasoned entrepreneurs, the venture studio model offers more than just funding or resources; it provides a structured environment to amplify their impact. If you’re ready to step into the fast lane of startup building, a studio might just be your next big move. Don’t forget to look out for career opportunities within ICEO Studio, and if you’re interested in co-founding projects with us, reach out—we’d be happy to discuss further.