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Arrogance, Reconsidered: When Humility Helps Entrepreneurs Secure Funding
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Arrogance, Reconsidered: When Humility Helps Entrepreneurs Secure Funding

Laurent Vilanova and Ivana Vitanova
Strategic Management Insights
07/04/2026

Abstract

Coporate strategy Innovation Entrepreneurship
The prevailing myth of the successful entrepreneur is often draped in bravado. From Steve Jobs to Elon Musk, the prototype of startup founders is typically a bold, hyper-confident, and self-assured individual. In the high-stakes context of a funding pitch, an entrepreneur’s expressed humility—defined as a willingness to view oneself accurately, appreciate others’ contributions, and remain open to learning—might therefore seem like a liability.
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