Edrizio De La Cruz, a beacon of hope and a symbol of indefatigable spirit in Silicon Valley, presents his extraordinary saga in “The Underdog Founder“. This book is not merely a memoir; it is a beacon of triumph, a guiding light for those who come from humble beginnings yet aspire to soar in the competitive skies of tech entrepreneurship.
From the Dominican barrios to the apex of Silicon Valley, De La Cruz’s story is a testament to the power of resilience. In this narrative, he is the embodiment of the new American dream, breaking the traditional mold and emerging as a leading figure against the backdrop of Silicon Valley’s rough seas. De La Cruz’s life, marked by a college dropout turned Air Force technician, to a Wharton MBA graduate, exemplifies a relentless journey of self-belief and tenacity.
Arcus, his fintech brainchild, stands as a testament to what diversity in thought and steadfast resolve can achieve in a sector often critiqued for its homogeneity. De La Cruz’s principles and experiences offer unvarnished insights into overcoming the myriad of challenges faced by Black and Hispanic entrepreneurs in the predominantly white tech industry. His story is a clarion call to the importance of diversity initiatives and affirmative action, validating their role in nurturing talents that would otherwise remain obscured.
“The Underdog Founder” is more than De La Cruz’s personal chronicle; it’s a blueprint for success against all odds, embodying the profound lesson that victory often lies in perseverance. It’s a playbook for dreamers, fighters, and visionaries who look beyond the confines of race and social status. This book is an emblematic narrative of the underdog, serving as a motivational manifesto for anyone daring to turn their entrepreneurial dreams into reality.
Edrizio De La Cruz’s own words echo his incredible journey, “I started to have a lot of internal conflict, wound up parting ways with my co-founders, I actually was voted out of the company temporarily. I was at a very dark time in my life and it was beyond depression. I felt like things I had built didn’t want me to be a part of it, but I felt like I needed to pull through and push through along that journey. I found a book called Meditations by Marcus Aurelius, and one of the quotes that stands out in the book says: The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.”
De La Cruz’s story emphasizes that he didn’t succeed in spite of his circumstances, but because of them. He drew strengths from the challenges he faced as an immigrant, a person of color, and a resident of the projects, striving to make a difference for not just himself, but his community.
Reflecting on his experience in Y Combinator, De La Cruz emphasized the power of discomfort and the significance of learning from peers, stating, “I, “If you feel out of your comfort zone and anxious if you feel that everybody is just a little bit further, it means you are in the correct space. That is how I felt in my last year in Y Combinator; every one of my partners was top in the business, and I remembered my own motto that I was in the correct environment. Use that anxiety and focus it on learning from your peers, talking to them, getting to know them, and understanding their characters, how they do things, and how they evaluate things; it can be applied to any workspace; the point is focusing yourself, that anxiety on learning from them and growing to their level. If you can do that, you have an amazing superpower.”
His advice highlights the value of pushing yourself beyond your comfort zone and learning from those who excel in their respective fields. This approach can be applied to any workspace and emphasizes the importance of personal growth and development.
Furthermore, De La Cruz emphasizes the importance of persistence, stating, “I think one thing I’ve learned as a founder is that you have got to stick around long enough to get lucky. Just don’t die. Just keep moving forward, keep putting one foot in front of the other, and eventually, good things will happen. If you keep iterating and learning and getting better, you put yourself in a position where ultimately opportunity meets luck, which equals success.”
“The Underdog Founder” serves as a testament to the power of determination and perseverance, offering a glimmer of hope to those aspiring to carve their path in the competitive world of tech entrepreneurship.
