The #1 Habit that Predicts Founder Success with TX Zhuo

04/21/25 • 59 min

What’s the one trait that separates successful startups from the rest?

According to TX Zhuo—Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Fika Ventures—it’s not pedigree, pitch decks, or market size. It’s founder responsiveness. In this episode of Demo Day, TX reveals the surprising results of a study across 94 portfolio companies, and why the speed of your email replies might be a signal of much more than just efficiency.

Sean Goldfaden sits down with TX to talk about:

How TX turned personal tragedy into a multimillion-dollar startup
- His transition from founder to VC at Fika Ventures
- How to stand out in a crowded pitch meeting
- The biggest green (and red) flags investors look for
- What most first-time fund managers get wrong
- The real story behind raising Fika’s first fund—with over 700 meetings
- Why radical focus and honest mentorship are keys to success

Whether you're a founder preparing for your next raise, or an emerging VC building your first fund, this conversation is packed with real talk and practical advice.

What’s the one trait that separates successful startups from the rest?

Sean Goldfaden sits down with TX to talk about:

Whether you're a founder preparing for your next raise, or an emerging VC building your first fund, this conversation is packed with real talk and practical advice.

Previous Episode

Why Most Founders Fail with Marlon Nichols

What makes a great founder? How do VCs really decide who to back?
In this episode of Demo Day, host Sean Goldfaden sits down with Marlon Nichols, Managing Partner at MaC Venture Capital, to explore what separates good founders from great ones, the mindset of successful venture capitalists, and the hidden power of community-driven events like CultureHouse and LA Tech Week.
Marlon breaks down the qualities he looks for when investing—including “repeat exceptionalism,” founder resilience, domain expertise, salesmanship, and more. Plus, he opens up about navigating blind spots, evolving Mac’s investment strategy, and what it takes to succeed in today’s fast-moving startup landscape.
Whether you're a startup founder, aspiring VC, or someone looking to break into tech, this episode is packed with valuable insights and practical advice.
Topics covered include:
1. How VCs really evaluate early-stage startups
2. Why repeat exceptionalism matters more than a resume
3. Common blind spots that derail even top-tier founders
4. The evolution of LA’s tech and venture ecosystem
5. How to build relationships with LPs as a first-time fund manager
6. Why CultureHouse has become a cornerstone of LA Tech Week
7. Marlon’s advice for the next generation of builders and investors

Next Episode

How to Pick the Right Investor with Jeff Bocan

In this episode of Demo Day, host Sean Goldfaden sits down with Jeff Bocan, Partner at Okapi Venture Capital, to dive deep into the founder-investor dynamic, red flags to watch for, and what truly sets top-performing startups apart.
🚨 Founders: Are you doing due diligence on your investors?
Jeff shares a wild story about a founder who raised a Series A just to remove a toxic investor—and why failing to check references on VCs is one of the biggest mistakes you can make.
This conversation covers:
1. The #1 trait Jeff looks for in founders (and it’s not experience)
2. The only real pattern he’s seen in billion-dollar companies
3. Why positivity is a secret weapon for founders
4. Where AI fits into startup efficiency—and where it doesn’t
5. Fundraising advice that could save your next round
Jeff also opens up about his own journey—from being thrown onto 10 boards in his twenties to scaling a startup from $50M to $250M before a successful acquisition.
If you're a startup founder, aspiring venture capitalist, or just obsessed with the inside game of entrepreneurship, this episode is packed with hard-earned lessons and practical insights.