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How to Evaluate Founders, by big VCs
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founders.md

Paul Graham, Y Combinator:

  1. Is the founder formidable, where a formidable founder is defined as “one who seems like they'll get what they want, regardless of whatever obstacles are in the way"?
  2. How big is the current or future market?
  3. Why now?
  4. Can the founder convince themselves of the large opportunity and in turn convince investors of the same (concisely)?

Sarah Guo, Greylock:

  1. Is the team passionate, unique, and one that I want to work with for a decade?
  2. Is the problem worth solving and does the team have a deep understanding of it?
  3. Does the product POV make sense to me?

Jess Lee, Sequoia:

  1. Does the founder have grit?
  2. Does the founder have a growth mindset?
  3. Is the market giant (or growing) and does the founder dream big?
  4. [Bonus!] Is the founder a good storyteller?

Mike Maples, Floodgate:

  1. Why now?
  2. What is the founder's earned secret?
  3. Is it a networks-driven business?

Keith Rabois, Founders Fund:

  1. What is anomalous?
  2. What “secret" is the company predicated on?
  3. What could this be?
  4. Could this be one of the most important companies on the planet?
  5. What is the accumulating advantage?
  6. Can the founder attract the talent requisite to achieve the vision?
  7. Why do we have a comparative advantage?
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