Ashish Kakran discusses the critical role of timing in startup success, highlighting that being too early or too late can lead to failure. He introduces the concept of the '1.5x edge,' which means being slightly ahead of market demand—about six to nine months—allowing startups to develop their products and secure early partnerships. Kakran cites examples from the AI sector, where companies like GitHub Copilot faced challenges due to premature market entry, while others like ChatGPT thrived by aligning with market readiness. He advises founders to engage with customers to understand their pain points and to over-deliver in the early stages to create internal champions. Continuous innovation is essential to maintain a competitive edge as markets shift.