The 4 Signs of Founder-Market Fit
Read time: 3 min
Founder-Market Fit. When do you know you have it?
Here are 4 signs.
1. Obsession
Don't start a company unless you cannot NOT do it. Unless it's all you think about, day and night.
You NEED to see your idea out in the world, and you will bring it into existence.
World-class companies?
They’re built by founders with that level of obsession. It’s what keeps them going, no matter how tough it gets.
Here’s the deal: if you’re obsessed, you’ll know everything about your market. Talk to experts, map out competitors, study failed attempts. Dive deep.
No obsession? No Founder-Market Fit. Simple as that.
2. Founder Story
Your story matters more than you think. Customers want to know the human behind the company.
Look at Steve Jobs and Apple. His story made people feel something about Apple products.
Or take Zuckerberg with Facebook—his college student background clicked with the initial user base.
Even eBay’s Pierre Omidyar had to cook up a story about Pez dispensers to make it relatable.
Your story connects you to your customers. Make it count.
3. Personality
Do you fit in with the people in your market?
Markets attract certain personalities. If you vibe with your peers in the industry, it’s a good sign. Networks of ambitious, like-minded people drive innovation.
Zuckerberg again. Time Magazine said he was perfect for Facebook because he wanted to automate human interaction. His personality shaped the product.
So, ask yourself—does your personality align with the market you’re diving into?
4. Experience
Experience can be a double-edged sword. Too much, and you might lose that fresh perspective.
Too little, and you might miss key insights.
In B2B or highly regulated industries, experience is crucial. In consumer markets, it’s less so.
There’s a balance. Enough to understand the market, but not so much that you can't innovate.
Conclusion
Founder-Market Fit will make or break your company.
The right fit gives you:
Higher chance of critical insights
100% focus driven by deep resonance
Connections with sector peers to boost commercial success
Nailing product nuances that make it best-in-class
Investors Notice.
When evaluating companies, we look for speed, grit, intelligence, and, yep, Founder-Market Fit.
Ask yourself—do you have it?
If you do, you'll know. And so will we.
Want to join our Climate Investors community?
👉 Join the Climate Insiders investor community 🚀 Whether you are looking for unique deal flow, wanting to develop your Angel track, or simply seeking exposure to the best projects in the space, join us here.
And if you are enjoying this newsletter, the best support would be to recommend it to a Climate friend or colleague 🙏 Let’s grow this movement together.
Stay driven 🎯
"Don't start a company unless you cannot NOT do it"
This hits hard!
Great post Yoann!