What Makes A Great Founder

What Makes A Great Founder | Antler (2024)

Insights

Identifying talent is not easy; however, specific attributes have been defined that make a person more likely to be a great founder. Learn more.

Antler

Company

April 2, 2018

When identifying talent that embodies the potential to become great founders, we look for:

Leadership potential - Ability to manage a team and encourage and motivate those around them to always strive for more. Understanding of resource management and optimization, applying excellent people and communication skills.

Fast learner / quick thinker – Capacity to grasp new concepts quickly. Analytical and curious; with inner creativity to make connections between seemingly unrelated events or situations, with products or services that can be repurposed into new markets or industries.

Humble - Recognize that they do not know it all and, effectively seeks help and guidance when needed. Founders acknowledge that ideas are generated continuously, and so, they are flexible, open-minded and considerate of adjustments and advice from others.

Drive and Discipline - Have a strong passion for the work and the company. They exemplify a genuine love for their work and, do not give up when things are tough. Hard-working and confident that they will make their business succeed.

Technical or Domain expertise – Subject matter expert, encompassing previous experience and knowledge from the field. Acutely aware of own ability and knowledge limitations and so effectively complements their skill set with that of other hires.

Antler

Company

The investor backing the world's most driven founders, from day zero to greatness. Enabling thousands of founders every year to launch and scale companies that move the world forward.

Grow your startup with the Antler residency

Antler backs the world's most driven founders, from day zero to greatness.

Apply now

More insights

See all articles

Insights

5 min read

Multiples over basis points—how to prioritize as a startup founder

In the early stages of a startup, growth is correlated to scaling, rather than perfecting minor details.

Insights

5 min read

The Rise of the European Technical Founder

Read our report about why the rise of the European technical founder means there has never been a better chance for Europe to build its first tech giant

Insights

5 min read

Championing a new generation of women founders in the UK and beyond

Antler’s exclusive “Empowering Women Entrepreneurs: Building Venture-Scalable Businesses” summit in London brought together top women founders for a dynamic afternoon of thought leadership and discussion. Read highlights of the event—essential insights for the next generation of women founders in the UKand beyond.

View all