In a recent LinkedIn post, Bettina Briz shares her unique perspective on what truly matters when backing early-stage founders, drawing a powerful analogy from her passion for skiing. Briz emphasizes that the resilience and tenacity demonstrated through overcoming adversity, much like in mastering a difficult ski slope, are the most crucial indicators of a founder’s potential.
Briz highlights the hands-on nature of learning and growth, stating:
“You don’t learn to ski by watching. You learn by going. By falling. By getting back up and going again.”
This philosophy, Briz argues, directly translates to her investment criteria. She looks for what she terms ‘#FounderMuscle’ – the inherent ability to persevere through challenges.
The Metaphor of the Steep Slope
Briz uses the metaphor of a steep ski slope to differentiate between founders who shy away from difficulty and those who embrace it. While many might hesitate when faced with a daunting incline, the founders Briz seeks are those who lean in. This is not out of recklessness, but due to a cultivated resilience and experience.
“The best founders I back see it and lean in. Not because they’re reckless. Because they’ve trained for this,” Briz explains. She elaborates on this point, noting that these founders have a history of overcoming setbacks:
“They’ve fallen before. They know how to read the terrain. They know that hesitation is more dangerous than speed.”
According to Bettina Briz, this deep-seated understanding and experience, forged through past failures and recoveries, is far more valuable than superficial polish.
Beyond the Pitch Deck: Investing in Grit
Briz makes it clear that her investment decisions are not swayed by immaculate pitch decks. Instead, she prioritizes founders who have a proven track record of navigating and recovering from significant challenges.
“The founders I write checks for aren’t the ones with the prettiest pitch decks. They’re the ones who’ve already fallen, already pivoted, already rebuilt, and are still on the mountain,” Briz asserts. This perspective underscores her belief that true founder potential lies in their demonstrated ability to endure and adapt, rather than in a flawless initial presentation.
Recognizing Tenacity and Grit
The post concludes with Briz acknowledging several founders who embody this spirit, tagging them and expressing her respect for their commitment. She refers to them as her “Tribe” and expresses happiness in being part of their journey.
Briz’s message is a clear call for investors to look beyond surface-level perfection and to identify the underlying resilience and grit that truly define successful entrepreneurs. Her analogy of skiing serves as a potent reminder that the most valuable lessons, and the strongest ‘founder muscle,’ are often built through the process of falling and getting back up.
She also extends an invitation for connection with others who share her passion for both skiing and investing, suggesting potential meet-ups. This reflects her broader philosophy of building community around shared values and experiences, both on and off the slopes.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by Bettina Briz on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on March 29, 2026 | View original post on LinkedIn →