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Don't make the investor your customer.

Y Combinator
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  • Conformist individuals are increasingly entering the early-stage startup ecosystem, driven by status-seeking rather than traditional entrepreneurial motivation.
  • The investor role is identified as the highest-status position in early-stage startups, creating a dynamic where founders seek validation and approval from them.
  • These aspiring founders often make the investor their primary customer, deviating from the standard advice to avoid this dynamic.
  • Their strategic focus involves:
    • Crafting ideas specifically designed to appeal to investors.
    • Aligning their actions and resume with investor expectations.
    • Seeking "secret words" to whisper to investors to secure approval rather than focusing on product-market fit.