It takes years and years, usually a decade, to create a great startup.
If you want something in a deal, just ask for it.
You only get points when you make something the market wants. So if you work really hard on the wrong things, no one will care.
You need unstoppable people. You want people that are just going to get it done.
Here's a good rule of thumb: don't worry about a competitor at all, until they're actually beating you with a real shipped product.
As the company grows and about this 25 or so employee size, your main job shifts from building a great product to building a great company.