4 management traits constantly gas unicorn-level development whatever the founder’s background or identification, a brand new report has discovered.
The Inclusive Alpha Founder Report 2025 analysed 171 unicorn founders to find what traits set them aside. It found that low neuroticism and inward focus, in addition to excessive analytical pondering and assertiveness, are all shared by the most profitable entrepreneurs.
There’s a stereotype that enterprise capital companies can favour the stereotypical Silicon Valley founder, usually white, male, and well-connected, leaving funding gaps for others.
By recognising that behaviour, not demographics, predicts success, the report says we are able to assist a extra inclusive method to backing future founders.
What 4 traits outline unicorn founders?
To discover which traits really outline unicorn founders, separate from their background, Ada Ventures, a pre-seed inclusive enterprise capital agency, carried out psycholinguistic evaluation (LIWC) to review how unicorn founders suppose and talk.
A unicorn firm is a startup valued at over $1 billion. Some UK-based success tales embody Deliveroo, Monzo, and Revolut.
Of the 159 measurable traits checked out within the report, solely 18 had been meaningfully completely different between unicorn founders. This means that profitable founders share a typical mindset.
Throughout the founders studied, there was a transparent pattern: they scored larger on analytical pondering and assertiveness, and decrease on neuroticism and inward focus.
Analytical pondering displays a logical, data-driven method to problem-solving, and founders who depend on proof and structured reasoning to make choices. Assertiveness speaks to clear and assured communication, along with with the ability to take initiative and lead with conviction.
In distinction, low neuroticism suggests sustaining emotional stability below stress, staying calm and targeted within the face of stress or setbacks.
In the meantime, decrease inward focus signifies an inclination to look outward towards alternatives and motion slightly than overanalysing or relying too closely on introspection.
How founders can domesticate these traits
Whereas some individuals could appear to exude pure confidence, these traits are much less about being born with it and extra about constant observe.
Future founders can deliberately work on creating a values-based management fashion in just a few alternative ways:
- Work with a coach or mentor who can supply perspective, problem blind spots, and assist refine your self-awareness and decision-making.
- Lean on friends or founders’ networks to remain grounded, share challenges, and study from others.
- Construct small each day habits for reflection and development. It is perhaps journaling, suggestions classes, or common pitch observe.
These 4 traits aren’t innate; they’re learnable abilities any entrepreneur can construct. And as Ada Ventures’ report exhibits, the following unicorn founder may not appear to be the final, however they’ll doubtless share the same mindset.
Keep forward of the curve with NextBusiness 24. Discover extra tales, subscribe to our e-newsletter, and be a part of our rising neighborhood at nextbusiness24.com
