The Underdog Founder

How to Go From Unseen to Unstoppable

By: Edrizio De La Cruz

Narrated by: Jesse Sussman

Length: 5 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's summary

The Underdog Founder shares Edrizio De La Cruz’s improbable odyssey from selling guavas in a Dominican barrio to co-founding his startup, Arcus, in Silicon Valley. Arcus was recognized by Forbes as one of the most successful startups of 2021 and was later sold to Mastercard.

This no-nonsense playbook is for the entrepreneurial dark horse, a memoir and business narrative that presents seven key principles to rise above racism, poverty, imposter syndrome, and every imaginable and unimaginable startup obstacle.

The Underdog Founder is the inspirational and practical guide needed to transform obstacles into opportunities and manifest the life you’ve dreamed of—a life that goes against all odds.

©2023 Edrizio De La Cruz (P)2023 Edrizio De La Cruz

Critic reviews

“Brutally candid...the most powerful book I’ve read on how to succeed as an underrepresented founder." (Michael Seibel, Y Combinator)

Very inspiring

I really enjoyed reading about Edrizio’s journey, all the ups and downs, rejections, and victories. This is a must-read for every Latin American entrepreneur.

Muy recomendado para todos los fundadores de startup, especialmente latinos.

A must read for all aspiring tech entrepreneurs

The Underdog Founder turned out to be so much more than just a story of overcoming struggle. Its central focus is the author's compelling journey through poverty, impostor syndrome, and the pervasive unconscious bias within the VC community and tech sector in general. To me, what set this book apart was the author's candid self-assessment and the personal growth that emerges with such raw honesty — something that is not found in many leaders.

What was most surprising, and in some way an unexpected gift in the book, is the clear blueprint for building a successful tech company, irrespective of one's background or advantages. It's like a how to build a great company and product 101 book. The author lays this out by detailing the mistakes he made and you can avoid repeating them. This makes the book an invaluable resource for aspiring entrepreneurs, particularly those in tech who don't have the benefit of starting on "third base."

I highly recommend this book for anyone trying to make it as an entrepreneur, particularly tech entrepreneurs and definitely anyone not born on third base trying to make it.

WoW, must read for any founder!

This book masterfully charts a hero's journey, offering insightful guidance and an incredible roadmap for preparing oneself for the entrepreneur's rollercoaster. It also reveals hidden gems on how to look within and learn what one is capable of, making the seemingly impossible possible.

Solid founder story

Overall a solid story of overcoming challenges to succeed with good tactical steps for any founder.

Brutally inspiring

The book is written with great honesty and clarity. The author is completely open, resulting in a very real yet fascinating account. Edrizio's experience shows that entrepreneurship is a long-distance race.

Extraordinaria lección de vida!

Edrizio nos da una gran lección de vida que inspira a emprendedores a lograr sus sueños!

Ideal para emprendedores latinos

El libro está en inglés pero la historia se conecta con cualquier hispanohablante que emprende fuera de su zona de comfort. Este libro no solo sirve de inspiración por la historia tan blowmind que vive Edrizio, sino que te da tips prácticos de lo necesario para una startup bien estructurada

Fantastic story that many will be inspired by!

(From Ricky Tejada - Wife and I share the same Amazon account)

Eddie's story hooks readers immediately and doesn't let go. I relate with Eddie's struggles and triumphs on a personal level and feel incredibly inspired by him. The book literally put my batteries in and kicked my ass into gear. Extremely grateful he did this for people who don't have no where to look for relatable success stories and who success does not look like. Thanks Eddie!

An amazing and inspiring story for any leader

I definitely encourage anyone, if they are entrepreneurs, leaders or young people, to get motivated and moving with Edrizio’s story.

rallying cry for founders of color and a lesson in the strength drawn from adversity

Edrizio’s memoir is a rallying cry for founders of color and a lesson in the strength drawn from adversity. "Underdog Founder" is not merely a book - it is an essential conversation starter for our organization and a guiding star for entrepreneurial fellows aiming to make their indelible mark on the world of business. It is a succinct testament to the enduring spirit of the underdog and the undeniable value of diversity in forging the path to success.

For our organization and indeed for our entrepreneurial fellows, "Underdog Founder" is more than a book - it is a roadmap to harnessing our collective histories, traumas, and diversities to build more inclusive and successful enterprises. This review, and the book itself, will serve as an invaluable resource as we continue to support and develop founders who can relate to de la Cruz's narrative and are inspired by his achievements.

In dissecting the entrepreneurial psychology that underpinned his success, de la Cruz presents a masterclass in mental models that have guided his decision-making process and thus serves as a compelling guide for navigating the startup ecosystem, offering invaluable insights into the worlds of startup accelerators and incubators. De la Cruz shares his experiences with these platforms, demonstrating how they can be leveraged to catalyze growth and success, especially for those who might otherwise be overlooked.