Below are qualities I look for in founders. They aren't strict guidelines, just patterns I like to see. Since I'll likely be interviewing for investing roles soon, I thought I'd jot them down.
1. A Clear North Star
When you ask most college founders — or even most founders in general — why they're building what they're building, many struggle to answer. If you follow up with, "Why spend the rest of your life solving this problem?" most have no answer at all. I believe the company you build should align with a broader, personal mission you've been working toward your whole life — whether it's longevity, climate change, national security, improving developer productivity, or something else.
2. Nobody Knows Who They Are
Most people are driven by the wrong things — status, money, fame. I look for founders who stay out of the spotlight, avoid the endless networking circuit, and instead show intense focus on research or honing their craft. Less talking, more doing. Those are early signals that they're building for the right reasons.
3. If They Win, the World Changes
This is a bit more subjective and category-dependent. I personally enjoy deeptech and want to support founders solving important problems that advance society or strengthen national security. That said, I wouldn't complain about having invested in Ramp's seed round — even if startup banking doesn't fundamentally change the world.
4. Earned Secrets and Inflection Points
A why you and a why now. Credit to Mike Maples Jr., someone I've been fortunate to meet and learn from. He explains this better here.
5. Ability to Attract Talent
Non-obvious but probably the most important founder skill. It's the reason Elon will always find success in whatever company he starts. If a founder can't recruit top talent early, it's a bad sign. A gut check I like: would I quit everything and work for them on the spot?
I've only been angel investing for a short time, but I've already had the opportunity to co-invest alongside firms like Lux Capital, Greylock, BoxGroup, Accel, and others (see more here). The great thing about venture is that it's ultimately judged by outcomes — time will tell if my intuitions are right.
- Eddie