By Chris Heivly, Managing Director at Build The Fort and Startup Community EIR @ Techstars

Startups are tough. Founders push through uncertainty, investors bet on the future with no guarantees, and ecosystem leaders work tirelessly to support growth. The journey is rarely smooth, but when founders, investors, and community leaders approach each other with empathy for each other's position (starting with sitting together and listening), the startup ecosystem becomes more than just a network — it becomes an emergent force that lifts everyone.

Empathy matters in all relationships. In a fast-moving, high-pressure environment, it’s easy for different players in a startup ecosystem to misunderstand each other. First up is the basic human behavior to overly focus on just your part of the system without understanding what pressures exist in other parts of the system. 

Without empathy, connection breaks down. Without connection, the system starts to break down.

But when these key players take the time to understand each other’s challenges, the entire community of actors can benefit.

1. Founders: Understanding the Investor’s Perspective

Every founder dreams of landing the perfect investor — someone who writes the check, opens doors, and supports the vision. But fundraising can feel like a battle, with founders often frustrated by rejection or long decision-making processes.

What’s easy to forget is that investors face challenges, too. They aren’t just looking for great ideas — they’re looking for great founders who can execute over a 5-10-year run. They see hundreds (if not thousands) of pitches and must choose a few that align with their strategy and pattern recognition.

Founder Empathy in Action:

• Instead of assuming an investor is uninterested or dismissive, grab a little patience and realize that they too have the same challenges of families, business, employees, and partners.

• Recognize activity leaders are truly trying to help without having lived a startup journey themselves. Share your challenges so they can learn. And support them support other founders as part of your contribution.

• Founders who build relationships with investors before they need funding often find more success when the time comes to raise capital. Fundraising is not a light switch to turn on when you need it.

2. Investors: Seeing the Founder’s Struggle

From an investor’s standpoint, evaluating startups is part of the job. But for founders, every pitch represents months or years of effort, poured into something deeply personal. Each rejection can feel like a blow, and the fundraising process can be mentally and emotionally exhausting.

What investors sometimes don’t see is the weight that founders carry — pressure from employees, customers, and their own financial well-being. While it’s important to maintain objectivity, investors who approach founders with empathy build stronger, more collaborative relationships.

Investor Empathy in Action:

• Even if an investor decides to pass on an opportunity, offering constructive feedback can make a huge difference for the founder.

• Acknowledging the difficulty of the fundraising process and providing warm introductions to other potential investors can be incredibly valuable.

• Spend time with activity leaders to better understand their challenges and provide support to them by showing up, leaning in and being an active member of the community.

3. Activity Leaders: The Unsung Heroes of the Startup Ecosystem

Startup community leaders — those who run accelerators, coworking spaces, networking events, and mentoring programs — are often the glue that holds an ecosystem together. Yet their work is frequently underappreciated.

Founders sometimes see them as transactional gatekeepers rather than allies, while investors may minimize or overlook their role in cultivating a startup pipeline. But these leaders spend countless hours ensuring that connections are made, resources are accessible, and the community stays connected.

Activity Leader Empathy in Action:

• Sit weekly with founders to best understand their personal journey.

• Invite investors into your active ecosystem and give them a role to play that creates a win/win.

• Recognize that community-building takes time and effort from all actors. Publicly express gratitude for those actors who make things happen and those who foster a culture of mutual support.

So next time you meet a founder, investor, or community leader, ask yourself: How can I better understand their challenges? Because in the long run, the most successful startup communities are built on meaningful relationships and that requires empathy.

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