Venture Capital Focus Shifts to Founder Growth Over Tech

People, not technology, are the true drivers of innovation in startups, according to recent commentary from the venture capital (VC) space. In the article Technology doesn’t build startups — people do | Opinion, the author emphasizes that while web3 and artificial intelligence often capture attention with flashy tech stacks and benchmarks, the real value in early-stage investing lies not in the tools themselves, but in the people behind them. The piece argues that technology is a facilitator, not a creator, and that true breakthroughs stem from the mindset, growth, and emotional resilience of founders and their teams[1].

The author highlights that venture capital is about transformation — not just in the product or market, but in the people who build and lead the startup. The best investors don’t merely select promising ideas; they help founders evolve faster than the challenges they face. This evolution is not just about growing headcount or hitting performance metrics, but about expanding the emotional and strategic range of the founding team. The most resilient founders are those who can pivot with conviction, process feedback, and adapt while holding onto a clear vision[1].

Metrics and data, while important, have become table stakes in today’s startup ecosystem. Tools and dashboards are widely available, and competitive analysis can be conducted by even junior analysts using open AI tools. What is not commoditized is the human element — the grit, the ability to lead under pressure, and the emotional depth that cannot be captured in a spreadsheet. According to the article, these intangible qualities are what set apart the most successful founders and startups[1].

The author also describes a people-centric approach to investing as inherently “punk,” not in a superficial sense, but in the spirit of challenging norms and breaking the rules that no one dares to question. This approach values the freedom of the founder to build — and at times, to destroy — in order to create something better. Disruption, the article argues, is not always external; it often begins within the organization, as founders challenge their own assumptions and models[1].

An example cited in the article is the investment in Antix.in, a company that builds AI digital humans for web3 and the metaverse. The founder, Roman Cyganov, was not the strongest pitch performer but stood out in an investor gathering for his humility, charisma, and openness to feedback. The author describes this as a stronger indicator of potential success than any tokenomics chart could provide[1].

Ultimately, the article concludes that the most powerful lever in early-stage investing is not a line item in a budget, but the ability to help founders grow faster than their challenges. This involves trust, mentorship, and relationship-building — the real work of venture capital. Technology may change rapidly, but the founders who last are those who evolve in step with — or faster than — the world around them. As the author states, “I don’t invest in technology. I invest in people who can shape the world.”

Source: [1]Technology doesn’t build startups — people do | Opinion, [https://coinmarketcap.com/community/articles/68adc86092491e16ebd47a3e/](https://coinmarketcap.com/community/articles/68adc86092491e16ebd47a3e/)