Let’s be honest: when you picture a startup founder, what comes to mind? Often, it’s a brilliant mind, probably a little sleep-deprived, fueled by caffeine and an unshakeable vision. They might be wearing a hoodie, coding late into the night, or passionately pitching their disruptive idea with the kind of raw energy that simply can’t be taught. And for a long time, that scrappy, slightly unpolished persona was almost a badge of honor in the tech world. It symbolized authenticity, a focus on product over pretense.
But what happens when that scrappy visionary starts to scale? When they’re no longer just talking to fellow engineers but to institutional investors, Fortune 500 partners, or even heads of state? Suddenly, the hoodie might not cut it. The passionate but rambling pitch might lose its impact. This is where things get interesting, and it’s precisely the gap that venture capital firm Slow Ventures recently aimed to bridge with a unique initiative: an “Etiquette Finishing School” for its portfolio founders.
The idea of a VC firm teaching founders how to be “fancy” might sound like something out of a satire. However, delve a little deeper, and it reveals a profound understanding of what it takes to succeed at the highest levels of business today. It’s not about superficiality; it’s about presence, influence, and the unspoken language of leadership. It’s about recognizing that as a company grows, so too must the founder’s capacity to navigate increasingly complex social and professional landscapes.
Beyond the Code: Why Founder Polish Matters More Than Ever
In the early days of a startup, the product is paramount. A groundbreaking idea, a flawless user experience, or a disruptive technology can carry a team a long way. Investors are often willing to overlook a founder’s lack of corporate polish if the underlying tech and market opportunity are compelling enough. The focus is squarely on execution and innovation.
However, as a company matures, the founder’s role evolves dramatically. They transition from a builder to a leader, from an innovator to an ambassador. They become the public face of the company, responsible for attracting top talent, forging strategic partnerships, and reassuring stakeholders. In these crucial interactions, raw technical brilliance, while still essential, needs to be complemented by something more subtle: executive presence.
Executive presence isn’t just about wearing a suit or knowing which fork to use. It’s an amalgamation of confidence, clarity, and credibility. It’s about how you command a room, how you articulate your vision under pressure, and how you make others feel. A founder with strong executive presence inspires trust, signals stability, and instills belief, not just in their product, but in their ability to lead a successful enterprise through uncharted waters.
The ROI of Refinement
Consider the typical fundraising pitch. It’s not just about the deck; it’s about the delivery. An investor isn’t just buying into an idea; they’re buying into the person leading it. Can this individual represent my investment credibly? Can they charm a crucial client? Can they navigate a difficult M&A conversation with grace and firmness? These “soft skills” translate directly into tangible business outcomes, from securing that critical Series B round to landing a game-changing enterprise deal.
The tech world, for all its revolutionary spirit, still operates within a broader professional ecosystem where established norms hold sway. Ignoring these norms can create unnecessary friction, send unintended signals, or even undermine genuine opportunities. Slow Ventures, in essence, is arming its founders with a secret weapon – the ability to move seamlessly between the cutting edge of tech and the traditional boardrooms of global commerce.
The Art of the Deal (and the Handshake): What “Finishing School” Covers
The curriculum of this “Etiquette Finishing School” wasn’t about teaching founders how to sip tea with their pinky out. Instead, it focused on practical, high-impact skills that directly influence business interactions. Topics like the “perfect handshake,” public speaking, and office decorum might seem basic, but their mastery can significantly elevate a founder’s effectiveness.
The Power of the Perfect Handshake
A handshake is often the very first physical interaction you have with someone in a professional setting. It’s a micro-moment that communicates confidence, respect, and intent. A weak, clammy handshake can signal timidity or indifference. An overly aggressive one can suggest arrogance. The “perfect handshake” isn’t about rigid rules; it’s about finding that sweet spot of firm, confident grip, direct eye contact, and a genuine smile. It sets the tone for the entire interaction that follows, establishing a connection before a single word is spoken.
Public Speaking: More Than Just Pitching
Founders are constantly speaking publicly – to investors, employees, press, and potential customers. Public speaking isn’t just about delivering a captivating pitch; it’s about conveying authority, building rapport, and inspiring a shared vision. Learning to structure thoughts clearly, manage stage fright, project confidence through body language, and engage an audience are invaluable skills. It transforms a founder from someone who merely presents information into someone who truly leads and persuades.
Office Decorum: Crafting Culture and Professionalism
Office decorum might sound like a relic from a bygone era, but in a world of open-plan offices, remote work, and hybrid teams, understanding professional boundaries and respectful interactions is more critical than ever. This isn’t about stifling creativity; it’s about fostering an environment where everyone feels respected and productive. It covers everything from email etiquette and meeting protocols to how you conduct yourself in shared spaces. For a founder, setting a high standard of decorum establishes a company culture built on mutual respect, which is fundamental for attracting and retaining top talent.
These aren’t superficial niceties. They are fundamental elements of professional communication and personal branding. They equip founders with the tools to navigate high-stakes environments, build stronger relationships, and project an image of competence and trustworthiness that extends far beyond their product or technology.
Investing in Presence: The Long-Term ROI for Founders
Some might argue that focusing on “finishing school” distracts from the core business of building. But Slow Ventures’ move suggests the opposite: that these seemingly soft skills are, in fact, integral to robust company building. Just as a founder invests in top-tier engineers or cutting-edge marketing, investing in their own personal and professional development yields significant returns.
The “fancy” isn’t about ostentation; it’s about effectiveness. It’s about ensuring that the brilliant mind behind the disruptive idea has every tool at their disposal to not only build a great product but to build a great company around it. It’s about recognizing that leadership is a performance, and like any performance, it benefits from practice, refinement, and a keen awareness of the audience.
As startups grow, they cease to be just projects and become institutions. The founders, in turn, evolve from scrappy visionaries to corporate leaders. This transition requires more than just scaling operations; it demands a scaling of personal presence and influence. Slow Ventures’ initiative isn’t just a quirky seminar; it’s a strategic investment in the long-term success and broader impact of their portfolio companies. It’s a nod to the enduring truth that even in the most technologically advanced industries, human connection, trust, and perception remain powerful currencies.
Ultimately, whether you’re building the next unicorn or disrupting an old industry, the person leading the charge needs to inspire confidence. And sometimes, that confidence is built one perfect handshake, one compelling speech, and one respectful interaction at a time. Being “fancy” in this context isn’t about being pretentious; it’s about being prepared, professional, and powerful.
