In this interview, Matan Hazanov asks whether entrepreneurship is limited to certain people or can be cultivated. Speaker B argues that while some may be born with an entrepreneurial spark, the essential mindset and character traits can be developed, meaning anyone can become an entrepreneur. When asked about the most important predictor of entrepreneurial success, Speaker B emphasizes a deep, almost visceral hunger to solve a problem—the 'spark in the eye'—as the key trait investors look for.
Do you think there are just certain people that shouldn't become entrepreneurs?
No, I don't think so. You have to have this entrepreneurial spark in your eye, and you may be born with it, as I believe I was, but you can develop it in yourself. There are certain mindset, certain character type that you have to develop in yourself, and it's possible. I believe everyone can be entrepreneur.
So What would you say is like the most important trait then of an entrepreneur? Like, if you're looking at someone, whether to invest in them, or if you're predicting whether or not they're going to be successful, it's like, oh, this is the trait, and I know I can kind of decide whether they'll be successful or not.
People have to have this spark in their eye, right? People have to be really, really, really interested in, in the— really interested in solving this problem.
Like a hunger.
Hunger for that, yeah. But hunger not, not to feed yourself, but to make a difference. To me, when I see a person who really, really, really wants to make a difference in a special field and they have enough skills and experience, or they know how to put together a great team to do it, that's, uh, that's the point when I believe in them.
