Founders Will Do What Founders Do

I find myself reminding other investors of this constantly: Founders are going to do what founders do…

When they first sign a check to a new portfolio company, many angel investors will immediately begin to push an agenda onto the founding team about how the company should be run.

This is ESPECIALLY true if the investor holds a board seat.

The job of an investor is to provide cash to the business.
The job of a board member is to provide advice to the CEO.
The job of the founder/CEO is to use that cash and that advice how they see fit.

As an investor, you can push your agenda all you want. But the founder is the decision maker.

If you’re a board member with so many “ideas”, go start a company of your own. Don’t torment your founders in an attempt to reshape the company in your image.

The more you trust your founders to make the right decision without your oversight, the more they trust you and your advice.

After all, founders will do what founders will do.