#14 | Building a Startup Dream Team

by: Daniele Dellavalle

In the early stages, investing in a startup is often a leap of faith, a bet placed primarily on the team. Over time, as we conducted due diligence on startups we met or that applied to our programs, we began noticing certain patterns. Common traits observed to be pretty accurate among many successful teams, traits that are perfectly captured by the theory of the ‘Three H' by Rei Inamoto.

The Dream Team for Startups: Hipster, Hacker, and Hustler

Starting a business needs the right mix of skills and personalities to bring an idea to life and to convert that idea into something you can sell. Meet the “dream team” trio: the Hipster, the Hacker, and the Hustler. Each one brings something invaluable to the table, creating the foundation for a balanced, effective startup team.

The Hipster: The Creative Genius

The Hipster is the designer with an eye for delivering a flawless user experience. They’re the creative force behind the product’s look, feel, and customer journey. Focusing on aesthetics, brand identity, and user experience, the Hipster ensures that the startup’s design and marketing resonate with customers on an emotional level. With a minimalist approach and deep empathy for the user, the Hipster crafts products that people love to use and love to look at. Think of Jony Ive from Apple - his aesthetic transformed everyday products into iconic designs that became a part of people’s lives.

Key Strengths:

? Creative

? Good taste

? Empathetic

? Thoughtful

? Minimalist

The Hacker: The Tech Wizard

Every startup needs someone to answer the “how” behind an idea. That’s where the Hacker comes in. They’re the ones quietly listening to new ideas, and then, when everyone’s stuck, they’ll have the three-sentence solution that brings it all to life.

Choosing the right coding environment, platforms, and tools, the Hacker lays the technical groundwork for future growth. If they can also engage with customers to understand their needs, it’s a bonus that amplifies the product’s value. Analytical, reliable, and laser-focused, the Hacker ensures that every line of code aligns with the company’s goals, providing the stability and scalability essential for growth.

Bill Gates and his journey with Microsoft is a classic example. With a vision for computing and the technical know-how to make it happen, Gates and his team changed the world.

Key Strengths:

? Analytical

? Structured

? Reliable

? Focused

The Hustler: The Business Driver

The Hustler brings the idea to the market. They know who to talk to, how to make the sale, and how to push through rejection. They’re often the most misunderstood in the trio. While the Hipster is deep in design and the Hacker in code, the Hustler asks the tough questions: “Will this work for our clients? Is this what our partners need?”

They’re the driving force behind the company’s mission, often taking on the CEO role. With a natural knack for business, the Hustler builds and inspires the team, crafts and updates the business model, manages projects, and continuously shapes the startup’s culture. They form essential partnerships, make investor pitches, and keep an eye on metrics that matter—from user engagement to financial health. This go-getter thrives on growth, networking, and tough decision-making, always balancing the long- and short-term visions to keep the startup on track.

Sheryl Sandberg, for instance, transformed Facebook from a social platform to a business powerhouse by focusing on partnerships and revenue growth.

Key strengths:

? Go-getter

? Disciplined

? Extroverted

? Growth mindset

? Networker

Why the 3H Model Works

The balance between these three types -Hipster, Hacker, and Hustler- creates a foundation where creativity, technology, and business savvy all come together. The Hipster makes it look good, the Hacker makes it work, and the Hustler makes it sell.

Now, the question is: which ‘H’ does your team already have?

Do you need help to build a Dream Team? Schedule a one-on-one session with us and we will match you with the right co-founder. Contact us at [email protected].