Manos Insights

At Manos, we don’t just invest in software—we invest in the people building it.

When we evaluate a company, the founder plays a central role in our decision. Their mindset, leadership style, and ambition can make or break what happens post-acquisition. And because we’re a long-term partner, we need to know we’re aligned from day one.

Here are the three traits we look for in every founder we choose to back.

1. Deep domain obsession

We look for founders who know their market inside and out—not just intellectually, but experientially. They’ve lived the problem, served the customers, and built software with a purpose.

This kind of obsession shows up in product depth, thoughtful decisions, and sharp instincts about what matters most to users. It's not about hype—it’s about mastery.

2. Builder’s mentality

We partner with founders who want to keep building—not exit.

That means:

• A long-term vision for the product and team

• The grit to scale thoughtfully

• The humility to evolve as a leader

Founders who thrive post-acquisition are those who stay curious, stay hungry, and treat each phase of growth as Day One.

3. Coachability without ego

We don’t come in to take over—we come in to support. The best partnerships happen when founders are open to collaboration, not resistant to it.

We respect what founders have built. But we also bring operating experience, benchmarks, and proven playbooks that can unlock new growth. The ideal founder sees us as an ally, not a threat—and knows how to lead with confidence while staying open to challenge.

Long-term partnerships start with alignment

We’re not looking for perfection. We’re looking for potential—and the kind of leadership that compounds over time.

If you’re building a mission-critical software company and you’re thinking about what’s next, we’d love to talk. Because when you find the right partner, growth is just the beginning.