VCs can act as gurus for a certain sort of idealistic founder types who also have a need for validation. VC funding resembles the traditional form of validation that we are raised with, namely an authority figure conferring acceptance. I can see this as a hedge against the extreme uncertainty of starting a new venture. However, IMO, this need for approval from authority as an adult is ultimately psychological vulnerability and it is exploited.

Obviously, not every funding case is like this. But when young founders lead more with who has funded them than what they’re building or done, I have to wonder.