Why I Turned Down Revolut to Focus on Building Unstuck

Last month, an intriguing opportunity came my way. Revolut, one of the most recognized and innovative FinTech companies globally, reached out to me. Someone from their team discovered my work with Unstuck, a venture I’ve been passionately building, and proposed an enticing role. They were seeking an in-house entrepreneur to join their initiative "a position that seemed to align closely with what I’m creating at Unstuck". While the proposal was flattering, I ultimately decided it wasn’t the right fit for me. Here’s why.

The Opportunity

Revolut’s with over 44B Market Cap, offer was to become one of a small team of entrepreneurs tasked with managing and reviving underperforming services within their ecosystem. Beyond that, the role included the freedom to propose and develop new products or services under the Revolut umbrella. The company promised full funding for these ventures, along with a salary and equity "a hybrid model combining the stability of a corporate role with the creativity of entrepreneurship".

On paper, the opportunity sounded appealing. It reflected aspects of what I’m doing with Unstuck, where entrepreneurs can launch projects and secure funding. The key difference, however, lies in the structure: Revolut’s projects would be fully funded internally, while Unstuck empowers the public to invest and purchase shares in startups, democratizing access to early-stage ventures.

Why I Declined

While I appreciated the opportunity to work with a prestigious company like Revolut, several factors influenced my decision to decline their offer:

1. Entrepreneurship vs. Employment
   As someone who has been an entrepreneur for my entire career, the idea of stepping into a structured corporate role didn’t align with my vision. Entrepreneurship is about taking risks, owning decisions, and reaping the rewards directly. Revolut’s model, while innovative, felt more like a conventional employee arrangement. The offered salary and equity didn’t match the level of freedom and potential upside I’m accustomed to as a founder.
2. Unstuck’s Momentum
   The timing of Revolut’s proposal coincided with a pivotal moment for Unstuck. We’re on the verge of launching the first phase of our platform, and the progress we’ve made is exhilarating. Unstuck is more than a project; it’s a vision for a new way of building and investing in startups. The interest from Revolut only confirmed the uniqueness of what we’re creating, making it clear that now is not the time to shift focus.
3. Visionary Alignment
   While Revolut’s approach is undeniably innovative, it became evident during our discussions that their vision and mine didn’t fully align. Their model prioritizes internal control and incremental innovation, whereas Unstuck thrives on empowering entrepreneurs with autonomy and leveraging the power of community-driven investment.
4. Lessons from the Process
   One of the most valuable aspects of this experience was the opportunity to learn. As the saying goes, “keep your friends close and your enemies closer.” While I wouldn’t consider Revolut an enemy, they are certainly a competitor in the broader FinTech and entrepreneurial ecosystem. Engaging with them provided insights into their strategies, affirming that the foundation of Unstuck is both unique and strong.

Moving Forward with Unstuck

This experience has only deepened my commitment to Unstuck. By the end of this month, we’ll launch the first phase of our platform, a milestone that represents countless hours of hard work, dedication, and innovation. Following this launch, we’ll continue rolling out additional features incrementally, ensuring each is thoroughly tested and optimized before release.

Unstuck’s mission is clear: to democratize entrepreneurship and investment, enabling anyone to take part in the creation and growth of groundbreaking startups. It’s a vision that resonates deeply with me and one that I believe will resonate with the broader community of entrepreneurs and investors alike.

Closing Thoughts

Revolut’s interest in my work was both flattering and validating. It’s not every day that a company of their stature takes notice of your project. However, the experience reaffirmed something I’ve always believed: success isn’t just about opportunity; it’s about alignment.

Unstuck is more than just a business; it’s a movement. It’s a testament to the power of innovation, collaboration, and the belief that great ideas can come from anywhere. I’m excited for what’s ahead and confident that this journey will lead to remarkable outcomes—not just for me, but for everyone who joins us along the way.