Founder Mode + Taste: How Culture Is Eating Technology
We’ve entered a new world where code and technical solutions only available to some are not only abundant, but are wholly customizable with a few clicks and prompts. The old world of millions of layers and steps to get to a proper solution is fading and competitive advantage of tomorrow will be underwritten by emotional resonance, culture, and taste.
Remember “Founder Mode”? As Paul Graham recently explained, it’s the intense, obsessive focus needed to build and scale, with an eye for every detail. But the old definition missed one crucial element: taste. Taste is the strategic advantage—the force multiplier that turns good into great. It’s what unlocks new levels of business value and creates a lasting competitive edge.
According to the folks at Mckinsey in their Business Value of Design Report; “the best design performers increase their revenues and shareholder returns at nearly twice the rate of their industry counterparts”.
When founder mode and taste converge, you’re not just moving the needle—you’re flipping a new switch.
What is Taste?
Taste isn’t just a vibe or mood board—it’s the ability to discern what connects with audiences. It’s not about making things look good; it’s about emotional impact. Products today aren’t just functional—they’re extensions of our identity. A watch doesn’t just tell time it’s a symbol for how much you value time. Winning products go beyond transactions to shape how people see themselves—and how others see them.
When Tech and Taste Converge
Think of a tech stack like a high-performance winter jacket. Sure, some people still care deeply about the GORE-TEX lining, especially when their goal is pure functionality—staying warm and dry in tough conditions. But here’s the thing: the technical innovation alone won’t ever replace the feeling the jacket gives them. Does it make them feel stylish? Confident? Ready to take on the elements with flair? The same applies to technology today. As AI streamlines processes and levels the playing field, curation becomes everything. It’s not just about how fast, cheap, or reliable something is anymore—it’s about how it feels, how it connects with culture and taste.
Just like fashion, where trends can make or break a brand, today’s products need to hit both technical and emotional marks. A solid tech stack provides the foundation, but the real differentiation comes from crafting experiences that resonate, just as a well-designed jacket must perform while still making the wearer feel something deeper.
Taste as a Competitive Edge
The most successful brands master the intersection of form and function. They’re bold, opinionated, and deeply meaningful. A powerful identity drives these brands—without it, even the best tech won’t be enough.
It’s time for the traditional “Founder mode” to evolve. The old mantra of “move fast and break things” is outdated. Now, it’s about moving fast and creating meaningful things.
Culture is Eating Technology
Just as software consumed the world in the last tech era, culture is now consuming software. The new formula for growth is Founder mode + Taste. Founders must master both technical innovation and cultural relevance to stay competitive.