Founder Status Has Evolved from Fundraising Fame to Revenue‑Driven Power
Founder legitimacy used to be measured by the size and speed of fundraising rounds, then by sky‑high valuations, and now by real‑money metrics like ARR and tender offers. This shift reveals that status signals are becoming less about who backs you and more about instant, measurable performance, reshaping how talent, investors, and the broader public judge tech leaders. The trend warns founders they must constantly adapt to stay credible.