Give First, Rise Fast: The Hidden Engine Behind Founder Impact
Last week reminded me of a truth that Silicon Valley often forgets: the strongest entrepreneurs are the ones who give the most freely.
During the Plug and Play Tech Center summit, I experienced an unexpected moment of gratitude that stayed with me for days. ( https://www.linkedin.com/posts/yinan-gu_founderjourney-siliconvalley-entrepreneurshipwithheart-activity-7396940373815848960-qy87?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAMLO5wBUZ5DNENaod2JD53iTuK2P1BIUcw) It was a reminder that relationships built on genuine connection — not calculation — have a way of reshaping our path in surprising ways.
What I didn’t expect was how quickly that moment would ripple outward.
A Korean entrepreneur JiHee Jung met at PNP invited me to a Korean startup event run by KISED (Korea Institute of Startup & Entrepreneurship Development) later that week. Before meeting me, she confessed she believed Silicon Valley was purely transactional — a place where relationships begin and end with “What can you do for me?”
But after shadowing me for a day, she saw something else entirely. She noticed how I freely offered advice, perspective, and introductions — not because I expected anything in return, but because it’s my instinct as a Entrepreneur mentor and a fellow builder.
She told me, “You treat insight like a gift.”
At the event, she introduced me to nearly every entrepreneur in the room. She shared her experience openly, recommended me as the best Startup coach, and elevated my voice in a community that values trust above all else.
On the drive home, a realization hit me: This was her way of giving back — and giving forward. Her gratitude became fuel for her entire community. Her courage in publicly uplifting me was itself a leadership act.
And this made something very clear:
Being an impactful entrepreneur is not only about vision or execution.
It’s about how generously you empower others on their journey.
There is a form of kindness unique to founders — a generosity that is not soft, but strategic; not naive, but deeply wise.
Because the truth is:
• Opportunities flow toward those who uplift others
• Communities grow when someone chooses to share
• Trust compounds faster than capital
• And gratitude — when expressed boldly — can reshape an entire ecosystem
In a world obsessed with optimization, efficiency, and speed, giving a “gift” to a stranger — a connection, a perspective, a moment of sincere belief — becomes a powerful act of differentiation.
It signals leadership. It builds influence. It creates momentum. And often, it returns in ways you cannot predict or engineer.
Last week wasn’t just about gratitude. It was a reminder of something every founder should understand:
Your greatest long-term advantage is how you make people feel —
especially when they expect nothing from you.
And sometimes, one simple act of kindness becomes the beginning of a much bigger story.