Founders Get a Crash Course in Corporate Etiquette at Exclusive Slow Ventures Event

Slow Ventures, a venture capital firm, recently hosted a three-hour Etiquette Finishing School for founders, covering topics such as the perfect handshake, public speaking, and office decorum. The event, held at the Four Seasons in San Francisco's financial district, was attended by 50 founders who were selected from a pool of several hundred applicants. The program, which was initially conceived as a joke, aimed to help founders develop the skills and confidence needed to navigate the increasingly complex and formalized tech industry. According to reports, the idea for the Etiquette Finishing School originated at Y Combinator's Demo Day, where Slow Ventures gauged interest in such a program. The event's organizer, Sam Lessin, a general partner at Slow Ventures, told attendees that the tech industry was no longer "playful and cute," but rather a force that was "taking peoples jobs and changing environments." Lessin emphasized the importance of founders being respectful and professional in their interactions with others, particularly in the face of growing industry scrutiny. The program included a fashion show featuring models showcasing different outfits for various occasions, as well as a lesson on caviar and wine. While some founders saw the event as an opportunity to learn how to be more polished and professional, others viewed it as a necessary step in adapting to the changing landscape of the tech industry. "I attended to learn how to be less feral," said one unnamed founder, who spoke to The San Francisco Standard. Y Combinator CEO Garry Tan, who was reportedly skeptical of the event, took to X to express his views on the matter. "You don't need finishing school," Tan wrote. "You need to build something great, make your users happy, and have craftsmanship." Tan's comments reflect the ongoing debate within the tech industry about the importance of soft skills versus technical expertise. The Etiquette Finishing School is part of a broader trend in the tech industry, where venture capital firms and accelerators are increasingly focusing on the personal development and well-being of their portfolio companies' founders. As the industry continues to evolve and mature, it remains to be seen whether such programs will become a standard part of the startup ecosystem. The event has sparked a wider discussion about the role of etiquette and professionalism in the tech industry, with some arguing that it is essential for founders to develop these skills in order to succeed. Others, however, see it as a superficial attempt to address the industry's deeper issues. As the tech industry continues to grow and evolve, it will be interesting to see how these debates play out and what impact they have on the industry as a whole.