What Does a VC Look for in a Great Founder?
VC in 33 Seconds
Great founders don’t just spot problems — they’re driven to solve them. In this video, we look at what sets standout entrepreneurs apart: a deep passion for fixing what’s broken and turning that solution into a real business opportunity. Learn what investors look for in founders who create meaningful, market-ready change.
What VCs See in the Best Founders
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What drives great founders? In this video, we explore how the best entrepreneurs are fueled by a passion to solve real problems. They see what’s broken, feel a personal drive to fix it, and build solutions people are willing to pay for. Discover what VC investors look for in mission-driven, value-creating founders.
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Brian Keil
Managing Partner, Chestnut Street VenturesBrian is a seasoned venture capitalist with over 20 years of investing experience across a range of industries. Before joining Chestnut Street Ventures, Brian was the Managing Director for New York Ventures, the venture capital arm of the State of New York. Brian holds an MBA in Finance from The Wharton School and a BS in Industrial Engineering from The University of Southern California.
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You can find the full transcript below:
Brain Keil:
Founders…they see something wrong. They see something that needs to be changed or fixed, and they really have a passion for solving it and for those experiencing that challenge. Something they observe intellectually is that “Hey, this is inconvenient, this is not good, and I can fix it, and I can fix it in a way that is going to be a great business opportunity. People will pay for this solution.” So someone who’s really driven to add value — that you look for.
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