Obsessed founders: some observations
One recurring theme in early-stage tech is that the team is the single most important factor in pre-seed and seed investments. But ask a dozen VCs what distinguishes Team A from Team B, and you’ll get a dozen different answers. Some focus on founders with troubled pasts, others look for hyper-intelligence, or deep market experience. But one trait consistently stands out: obsession. While passion can drive a founder far, it’s obsession that propels them to win.
Obsession might not cover everything investors look for, but it captures the essence of what makes the best founders stand out. Here’s what I’ve observed:
Obsessed founders were always obsessed
Obsession doesn’t start with the founding of a company. It doesn’t appear in their first job, or when they graduate from school. It starts way earlier.
You can often spot it in their childhood or teenage years. Obsessed founders tend to latch onto things with intense focus: chess, online games, collecting (postage stamps, soda caps, you name it), organizing school plays, excelling in sports, music, or dance. It doesn’t matter what the activity is—what matters is the drive.
Here’s an example: I recently met a founder who ranked at the top in a Settlers of Catan national tournament while still in high school. That level of focus and competitiveness doesn’t just appear later in life; it’s always been there.
Obsessed founders are hyper-ambitious (and competitive)
There’s a popular idea that “competition is for losers.” But in my experience, obsessed founders love to win. This doesn’t mean they copy competitors’ product or mimic others’ marketing campaigns. Instead, they aim higher: they don’t just want to change the market—they want to become the market.
To get there, obsessed founders choose their battles carefully. They know the key players in their space. Ask them who they need to beat, and they’ll name names without hesitation. They understand their market’s dynamics better than anyone else.
And while their vision is long-term, they’re impatient when it comes to execution. Why wait when there’s so much to do? Their journey is a series of battles: acquiring their first ten customers, saving the company after a failed pivot, raising from skeptical VCs, hiring (and firing) the right people. The road is long, but they’re always looking for ways to accelerate.
Does this mean obsessed founders are tyrants, demanding everything gets done yesterday? Not necessarily. The most successful ones balance their intensity with an awareness of the “human touch.” They know when to push and when to pause.
Obsessed founders are always “on”
Whether they’re networking, team-building, or even relaxing, obsessed founders never really switch off. They’re like a dormant Amazon Alexa: always listening, always aware, waiting for the right opportunity to jump into action.
Picture this: you’re at a casual reception, chatting about nothing in particular. An obsessed founder hears someone mention they know a potential investor or a key contact. Instantly, they’re engaged: “How do you know them? Could you introduce me? How does that work?” The hustle is instinctive.
This doesn’t mean they never unplug. Obsessed founders can enjoy family dinners or weekends with friends. But they’re also willing to sacrifice personal time when the situation demands it. They’ll relocate, skip salaries, or work absurd hours to ensure their startup succeeds.
What others might view as excessive is simply their default mode.
If you'd like to discuss further or explore how we can collaborate, feel free to reach out:
Ruben Pauwels
Investment Manager
Angelwise
e-mail: ruben@angelwise.be
"If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together."
(African Proverb)
