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Actual Lesser Known Traits of Successful Founders: 1. Private high school 2. Supportive parents/mentors/friends (most likely parents, if on the younger side) 3. Sleep deprived, yet energetic 4. Addiction-prone 5. Nothing to lose

Just a few trends I have noticed over the past year.

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I don't think a private high school education is necessarily universal, but in my experience a lot of founders in the valley are from wealthy (or at least, extremely upper-middle-class) backgrounds. You rarely see founders who put themselves through college by working at pizza joints -- those dudes are working for the guys who went to Harvard via trust fund.

It's a little-discussed phenomena amongst the yammering classes, but a lot of startup founders have nothing to lose but pride.

A spouse capable of financially supporting the founder while things are starting out seems common as well.

Also a very good point. Being surrounded by supportive people improves focus for sure.

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