As a child, I dreamed of becoming an animal researcher—someone who would trek through dense jungles, uncovering unknown species and chasing the thrill of discovery. I was fascinated by the idea of finding something truly rare. Funny enough, I’m still on the hunt for those rare creatures—unicorns, in particular. Somehow, though, my colleagues describe them a bit differently than I imagined back then.

I find working with founders especially rewarding because they have the courage to pursue their visions with drive and motivation—often while being doubted by most people around them. The passion that burns in many founders for their startup is contagious and rubs off on us as VCs, bringing a lot of joy and energy into our work. At the same time, it also comes with responsibility—especially in moments where we have to help slow things down to stay strategic. But it’s exactly this balance that makes working with founders so exciting and fulfilling.

For me, a good founder is someone who has a personal interest in solving the problem their startup is tackling. It’s not just about reacting to market trends, but about having genuine, intrinsic motivation. When you're working on something that affects you personally, you naturally bring more depth, persistence, and understanding to the process—which ultimately leads to better products, because they’re built on real insight and conviction. Just as important is the ability to self-reflect: strong founders regularly question their own thinking and behavior to uncover blind spots, learn, and continuously grow—both as individuals and as leaders.