Alright, future moguls and soon-to-be venture capitalists, let’s get real. You want to invest in the next big thing, right? But here’s the secret sauce no one’s talking about: Engineers. Yes, those hoodie-wearing, coffee-fueled, code-writing geniuses. And guess what? Mar Hershenson, the venture capitalist extraordinaire and co-founder of Pear VC, is shouting it from the rooftops: backing engineers is the ultimate hack for startup success!
But why? Why should you, an aspiring investor, care about engineers more than, say, a charismatic CEO who talks like they’ve read every self-help book on the planet? Let’s dive into Mar’s wisdom and see why these nerds, uh, I mean, highly skilled tech professionals, are the golden ticket to your financial dreams.
1. Engineers Are the Builders of the Future (Literally)
Think about it. Who actually builds the product? Not the sales guy, not the marketing team, and certainly not the guy giving TED Talks on LinkedIn. It’s engineers.
Mar Hershenson, who herself has an engineering background (so she knows the game), believes that engineers aren’t just behind the scenes; they are the scene. These are the people who make the next Uber, the next Tesla, the next Instagram filter that makes your skin glow like a mystical deity.
Investor Tip: When scouting a startup, look at the engineers. Are they skilled? Passionate? Slightly unhinged in their obsession with solving problems? If yes, that’s a green flag.
2. Ideas Are Cheap, Execution Is Everything
Anyone can wake up and say, “What if we made an app that delivers avocado toast via drone?” Cool. But can they actually make it? Probably not.
Mar emphasizes that execution beats ideas every time. And who executes? Engineers! They don’t just dream up revolutionary ideas; they have the skills to bring them to life. Without them, your million-dollar startup idea is just a half-baked tweet.
Investor Tip: When evaluating a startup, don’t fall for flashy pitches. Dig deeper, who’s actually building the product, and are they capable of pulling it off?
3. Engineers Solve Problems, Not Just Sell Dreams
Startups run into problems. A lot of problems. Like, “oh no, our entire system crashed five minutes before launch” kind of problems.
Mar stresses that engineers don’t just create products; they fix them. They see obstacles as puzzles, not as reasons to panic and send “We’re pivoting” emails to investors. This mindset is pure gold.
Investor Tip: Bet on founders who have engineering backgrounds or strong technical teams. They’ll problem-solve instead of panic when things inevitably go sideways.
4. They Understand Product-Market Fit Better Than Anyone
You know what engineers love? Building stuff that actually works and that people use. Unlike some hype-driven entrepreneurs, engineers care deeply about whether a product is solving a real problem.
Mar Hershenson believes that engineers are naturally inclined to iterate, test, and refine, all crucial skills for finding that magical product-market fit. They don’t just chase trends; they create them.
Investor Tip: Find engineers who obsess over user experience. If they’re constantly improving their product based on real feedback, you’re looking at a winner.
5. They’re Low Maintenance (Sort Of)
Let’s be real, engineers are usually too busy coding to spend hours networking, schmoozing, and pitching investors. They’re in the trenches, making things work. And while that might mean they’re not the flashiest founders, it also means they’re not wasting money on gimmicks and nonsense.
Mar highlights that when you back engineers, you’re investing in people who care more about building than bragging.
Investor Tip: If a founder spends more time talking about their mission than actually doing anything, run. Find the engineer quietly working on something game-changing instead.
The Final Takeaway: Bet on the Builders
Mar Hershenson has built an incredible career by betting on engineers, and it’s a strategy that has paid off big time. The next time you’re evaluating a startup, look beyond the charisma and marketing fluff. Find the engineers, the builders, the problem-solvers. Because at the end of the day, products win. And products come from engineers.
So, future investors, take notes. The road to success is paved with well-backed engineers. Now go forth, fund wisely, and maybe, just maybe, secure that billionaire future.
(And if you find an engineer with a brilliant idea, buy them a coffee. They probably need it.)