If you’re dreaming of investing your way to private jets, beach houses, and a life free of 9-to-5s, let’s cut to the chase: you need to get good at picking winners. And by winners, we’re talking about founders, those fearless, coffee-fueled visionaries who can take a crazy idea and turn it into the next big thing. So, who better to learn from than Danny Rimer? This legendary investor has backed more unicorns than your average fantasy novel. Lucky for you, he’s spilled some secrets, and we’re here to decode them for your budding, venture-capitalist mind.
Trick 1: Look for the “Why Not Me?” Attitude
Danny Rimer’s secret sauce? He’s obsessed with founders who exude confidence. Not the arrogant, “I’m better than everyone else” vibe, but the “Why not me?” attitude that screams, “I’m going to figure this out no matter what!” These are the scrappy innovators who turn impossible into “Hold my latte, I’ve got this.”
Think about the world’s biggest companies. Airbnb? People thought the idea of renting air mattresses was insane. Amazon? Selling books online in 1994? Wild. But Bezos and Chesky had the guts to ask: “Why not us?”
So, when you’re considering who to back, look for founders who aren’t scared of wild ideas. If they can confidently stare down a naysayer and say, “Watch me do it anyway,” you’ve probably got someone special.
Trick 2: Follow the Storytelling Magic
Rimer has a soft spot for founders who can tell a killer story. Why? Because investors, customers, and even their future employees all love a good narrative. If a founder can make their idea sound so compelling that you’d invest your last $20 of avocado-toast money, you’re onto something.
Imagine a founder pitching their startup as “an app that helps you track receipts.” Snooze fest, right? But what if they told you, “We’re building a platform that’s going to revolutionize how freelancers manage their finances, save time, and grow their businesses.” Now you’re intrigued. Founders who know how to sell the dream, not just the product, are ones to watch.
Trick 3: Spot the “Obsession Overdrive”
One thing Rimer loves? Founders who’ve gone full nerd on their idea. These people live, breathe, and dream their startup. If they’re building an app for dog lovers, they’ve probably interviewed 200 dog owners, joined five dog-related Reddit threads, and can recite canine behavioral studies in their sleep.
This level of obsession is your green flag. It’s not just passion; it’s an unrelenting commitment to knowing everything about their market and solving the problem better than anyone else. So, next time you meet a founder who can’t shut up about their niche…listen closely.
Trick 4: Check the “Flexible Hustler” Vibes
According to Danny, the best founders are as adaptable as they are determined. The startup world is unpredictable, and things rarely go as planned. A rigid “my way or the highway” mindset is a recipe for disaster. Rimer loves founders who can pivot without breaking a sweat.
Here’s a pro tip: Ask a founder about the biggest challenge they’ve faced and how they handled it. If their answer sounds like a plot from a thriller, full of twists, creative problem-solving, and a satisfying win at the end, you might be looking at your next unicorn.
Trick 5: Seek Out the “Dream-Team Builders”
No founder can do it alone, no matter how brilliant they are. Rimer has a knack for spotting founders who can assemble A+ teams. Why? Because the ability to attract talent shows that people believe in them and their vision. If a founder can rally a team of rockstars, you can bet they’ll keep pushing forward, even when things get tough.
Pro investor tip: During your meeting, pay attention to how the founder talks about their team. Do they give credit where it’s due? Do they seem genuinely excited about their crew’s potential? Founders who value collaboration over ego tend to go far.
Trick 6: Follow the Founder’s “Weird” Factor
Danny’s best founders aren’t cookie-cutter professionals; they’re weird, in the best way possible. Maybe they’re a high school dropout who built their first business at 16, or they’ve got a quirky background in juggling and astrophysics. Their unusual path makes them creative, resilient, and totally unafraid to stand out.
So don’t write someone off just because they don’t have an Ivy League MBA or a LinkedIn full of Fortune 500 gigs. Sometimes, the weird ones build the world-changing companies.
Wrapping It All Up
There you have it, folks, Danny Rimer’s unofficial guide to spotting the best founders. But here’s the kicker: investing isn’t just about picking the right person or idea. It’s also about trusting your gut, doing your homework, and sometimes, taking a leap of faith.
So go ahead, start small. Find that scrappy founder with a big dream. And remember, every big investor was once a newbie too. Who knows? Maybe one day, someone will write a blog post about your tricks for picking the best founders. Until then, keep hustling, keep learning, and keep dreaming big. The private jets and beach houses are waiting.