What is the most important factor when building a successful company?

The most important factor when building a successful company is having a strong and cohesive team. As emphasized by the Vocara co-founders, team dynamics are often more critical than the business plan itself. Finding people with the right technical talent who work well together creates a foundation for success. Andrew, one of the MIT seniors, specifically notes that "it really is the team and how you mesh together" that makes the difference. He suggests working with friends or people you've collaborated with before, where things naturally fall into line. When you have compatible talents and enjoy working together, you can more effectively tackle the steps needed to build your company.