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It seems like it would be sufficient to say that not everyone has the ability to glimpse the future, envision a product given that, and initiate and direct the
by ianbicking 10y ago
It seems like it would be sufficient to say that not everyone has the ability to glimpse the future, envision a product given that, and initiate and direct the implementation of that product. Not everyone has that ability, but probably many do: however, in an established business with specific fiscal goals, how many people have the ability to do those things? Founders don't just bring some evidence of talent, they also have an authority and influence to make things happen that other people don't. Another way of thinking about it is that an established company typically does not have the ability to develop and empower that kind of person within the company. A founder precedes the company, and so is not constrained by the company in the same way.
- ryandrake 10y agoMy point is that "founder" is not some distinct species of human that uniquely and intrinsically possesses product sense, future-seeing vision, ability to execute, etc. etc. etc. There are many people out there with these abilities, and they could just as successfully found and grow companies. What sets apart founders is that they have these traits AND have the access to capital and connections that permit them to actually go out and do it. For example, I would put forward as a basis of argument: There are many people (thousands?) who, given $1 billion, could go off and build a space program. Elon Musk was actually able to do it though, not because he's a genius (he is), but because he ALSO is super-well-connected and actually could gain access to that $1 billion.