?? Are The Best Founders Chess Players or StarCraft Players?

TGIF. This is a fun one that taps into my childhood of playing chess and video games. Hope you enjoy, share, comment!

I've been thinking a lot about the type of founders we work with at RVP and the attributes they need to succeed at the earliest stages pre-product market fit. I realized the best framework I coudl come up for early-stage founders chess players vs StarCraft players.

Let's break it down:

Chess ??:

• Turn-based
• Perfect information (see the whole board)
• Fixed set of pieces and rules
• Long-term strategy focus

StarCraft ??:

• Real-time, imperfect information (fog of war)
• Resource management and multitasking
• Rapid adaptation to changing conditions

The more I reflected on our most successful founders, the more I realized: early-stage startups operate in environments that look a lot more like StarCraft than Chess.

Here's why:

1. Adaptability: Markets change fast. Can you pivot quickly? In StarCraft, you need to constantly adjust your strategy based on limited information. Similarly, the founders we back must be ready to pivot their business model or product based on market feedback. Those who rigidly stick to their original plan often get left behind or react when it's too late.
2. Multitasking: Juggling product, team, and fundraising simultaneously. Remember trying to manage your base, army, and resources all at once in StarCraft? That's startup life. Our best founders switch effortlessly between product development, team management, customer acquisition, and fundraising - often all in the same day.
3. Incomplete information: Making decisions with limited data. The "fog of war" in StarCraft mirrors the uncertainty in the startup world. Chess players see the whole board, but founders, like StarCraft players, excel at making quick decisions with limited intel.
4. Real-time pressure: No time for long, contemplative moves. In chess, you can take your time to consider each move. In startups and StarCraft? Nope! We look for founders who can make smart decisions rapidly under pressure.
5. Resource management: Allocating limited funds and talent efficiently. Managing "economy" in StarCraft is crucial - much like managing a startup's runway and human capital. I've seen founders who excel at this outlast and outperform better-funded competitors.

Don't get me wrong - chess skills like strategic thinking and anticipating your opponent's moves are incredibly valuable in operating businesses. And as companies mature and markets stabilize, the "game" often shifts to be more chess-like. You have more time for deliberate, long-term planning. But for the earliest-stage startups we invest in at RVP, the dynamic, fast-paced nature of StarCraft seems to be a better analogy for the skills needed to succeed.

?? So, what does this mean for founders and investors?

For founders:

• Cultivate your ability to make quick decisions with incomplete information (Related: Reversible vs Irreversible Decisions).
• Practice managing multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Stay agile and be ready to pivot when the market demands it.

For investors:

• Look for founders who demonstrate adaptability and quick thinking.
• Value the ability to manage resources efficiently in chaotic environments.
• Consider if a founder has ability to transition from "StarCraft mode" to "chess mode" as the company grows.

I'm curious: Do you see yourselves more as chess players or StarCraft players? Investors, which type do you tend to back?

Drop some thoughts in the comments.