How long do I hope the company will exist?

This is a question few founders ponder carefully at the outset. Most are preoccupied with "How can I make the company survive next month, survive next year?" But the fact that you're thinking about it now shows great foresight.

Honestly, there's no standard answer to this, because it doesn't depend on the company, but on you. What is your purpose in starting this company?

Let me give you a few analogies; see which one resonates with you:

1. Goal: To "Sell Off" – Like Raising a Pig

Many entrepreneurs, especially those of us in tech, have a clear goal: to build a cool, valuable product or technology, and then wait for a big company to acquire it. It's like carefully raising a pig; the goal isn't to keep it forever, but to fatten it up and sell it for a good price.

• How long should the company exist? Typically 3 to 7 years. This timeframe is enough to refine your product, validate the market, accumulate users, and make the company look "attractive." Too short, and the value isn't sufficient; too long, and the technology might become obsolete, or the trend might pass.
• Characteristics: In this model, all your decisions will revolve around "how to make the company more marketable/attractive for acquisition." For example, using the most popular tech stack, quickly capturing market share, making user data look impressive, and so on.

2. Goal: "Lifestyle" – Like Opening a Coffee Shop

Some entrepreneurs don't start a business to change the world or achieve financial freedom; they just want to do something they love and live the life they desire. They don't pursue IPOs or unlimited scaling; they just want the company to provide a stable income and free time. What we often call "small but beautiful" companies fall into this category.

• How long should the company exist? As long as you want to keep running it, it can continue to exist. Maybe ten years, maybe twenty, or perhaps you'll close it when you're tired and go travel the world.
• Characteristics: The core of this model is "sustainability" and "comfort." You won't sacrifice profit for growth, nor will you lose control for funding. The company's pace is entirely in your hands.

3. Goal: "Legacy" – Like Planting a Tree

This is the most ambitious type. You hope to create a great enterprise that can last for generations, continuing to develop even after you're gone, becoming a "century-old brand." You want it to be like a big tree, deeply rooted, influencing generations.

• How long should the company exist? Forever. Your goal is to build an organization that can self-evolve and self-perpetuate.
• Characteristics: From day one, you're thinking not just about products and markets, but more about "culture," "systems," and "succession planning." Your technology choices will prioritize long-term stability and maintainability over short-term trends. You'll invest significant energy in building a strong team and corporate culture, because you know that ultimately, it's the people who will keep the company going.

So, you see, this question comes back to you.

You don't need to give a precise number of years right now. But you need to figure out what you truly want: an exciting sprint (acquisition), a leisurely marathon (lifestyle), or an endless relay race (century-old brand).

Different goals mean every decision you make—from whether to raise funding, to who to hire, to what technology to use—will be completely different.