Roger Ehrenberg

When evaluating founders, which qualities matter most?

I put several key founder traits head-to-head in this winner-stays-on challenge. Some choices were easy, while others really made me think.

But as the comparisons got tougher, one thing became clear: how you execute matters, and so does how quickly you move.

What would your final pick be?

After over two decades in startup investing, I can confidently say that venture capital is anything but an easy or cushy job. It's genuinely the hardest work I've ever done.

In my view, it should be the hardest job if you're truly dedicated to doing it right. The investments are deeply personal, carrying stratospheric risk, especially at the early stages.

Our role as partners to founders means engaging daily with their immense challenges. This responsibility is profound and demands constant effort.

The notion that VC offers an easy life simply doesn't align with the reality of building and supporting new companies.

I think this was long overdue for the NFL.

With the access, influence, and opportunities the league has, its investment arm had the potential to be much more than a side project. This new partnership creates a more strategic way to put that power to work.

I see this as a win-win: the NFL gets to unlock more value, growth-stage companies gain a powerful partner, and early-stage investors like me have a clearer path to connect promising companies with the right people.

In sports investing, access matters. And this move could make a meaningful difference in how opportunities get developed across the industry.

Thanks to everyone at The 4th Quarter Team for having me on!

Time for another blind ranking!

This time, I’m ranking five key metrics that investors look at when evaluating a startup.

The catch? You have to commit to each ranking before seeing what comes next.

Would you rank them the same way I did?

Watch until the end for the reveal.

How would you rank these five qualities in a successful founder?

I put my rankings to the test, and once you lock in your choices, there’s no going back.

Would you make the same calls, or would your ranking look completely different?

Watch until the end to see how it plays out.