Élan Founder Dynamics
Understand the founders behind the investment.
We begin with the investment context—not a hiring manager. Then deep personality and behavioural analysis of each founder, followed by how they work together and what the next stage of the company will require.
€15,000 for two founders
Two people assessed in depth. Fees exclude VAT where applicable.
Who participates / what happens
Understand each founder. Then how they work together.
- 01
Investment context
Clarify the thesis, responsibilities and changes the next stage will demand. There is no hiring manager in this sequence.
- 02
Individual founder depth
Assess each founder’s personality, motivations and patterns independently, including ambition, control and response to pressure.
- 03
Joint dynamics
Examine status, control, trust, bad news, disagreement and who decides through their work evidence and a joint working exercise.
- 04
Investor briefing
Discuss the evidence, unresolved questions and governance priorities, with practical first 90-day agreements.
The relationship behind the investment
What has not yet been tested?
What happens when the founders disagree about a decision neither can avoid?
When status or control is threatened, can the founders share authority?
Can people bring bad news early, and do the founders trust each other with it?
Can the team change its operating model as the company scales?
From individual depth to joint dynamics
Understand compatibility.
And what is assumed.
Clarify the investment context; assess each founder’s personality, motivations and behavioural patterns in depth; review relevant operating material and work examples and feedback; observe a joint working exercise; examine what is agreed, avoided or interpreted differently.
Brief the investor on what we found, where the founders clash and who needs to decide what, and provide agreed founder feedback. The work complements financial, legal, technical and other transaction diligence. The investor remains responsible for the investment decision.
For the investor
Implications for the investment thesis, unresolved diligence questions, governance conditions, leadership support and next-appointment priorities.
For the founders
Individual behavioural insight and compatibility: status, control, trust and disagreement, likely friction and practical agreements for working together as the company grows.
VC
Who decides, founder roles and the next leadership layer.
PE
Management relationships against the value-creation plan.
Family office
Working authority, succession and continuity around an investment.
The people behind the investment.
Each founder or senior leader is assessed deeply. The base engagement includes two founders.
€15,000
2 deeply assessed people included. Fees exclude VAT where applicable.
€15,000 for two founders; €5,000 per additional deeply assessed founder or C-level leader within an agreed scope. Each person is assessed individually, with joint dynamics and feedback included within the agreed investment scope.
Send an investment enquiryWhy is an additional founder €5,000 when a hiring colleague is €500?
The founder/C-level scope includes a deeper individual assessment, evidence work and integration into investment diligence. The hiring addition is a focused assessment of how one colleague works with the candidate.
Is this a certification that founders will succeed?
No. The service provides evidence and judgement about the people and relationship. Uncertainty remains, and the investor makes the decision.
When will the work be completed?
Scope and timing are agreed around your decision and participant availability before beginning.