Stage 2: Toddlers Seek to Survive and Grow. Assuming that you find a way to successfully launch your company, you're now looking to survive as a business. Most entrepreneurs will either seek to stay independent or immediately look for investors to give them the cash they need to survive. Staying independent will give you more control over your outcomes, but having a cash cushion will help you sleep better at night knowing you have some time to build your company and get it right. Survival is the name of the game at this stage.