Instacart Co-Founder Max Mullen: Understanding Entrepreneurs by Their Shoes

Instacart's co-founder and investor Max Mullen has invested in over 100 startups. Mullen states that he recognizes entrepreneurs who focus on their real work by their dirty white sneakers.

Scraper SystemMay 01, 2026, 07:40 PM

Instacart Co-Founder Max Mullen: Understanding Entrepreneurs by Their Shoes

Instacart's co-founder and technology investor Max Mullen uses an unusual method when evaluating entrepreneurs. Mullen says he distinguishes those who focus on their real work by looking at their shoes. According to him, "real founders" often wear dirty white sneakers. Mullen emphasizes that this shows entrepreneurs' dedication to their work more than their appearance.

On the Uncapped with Jack Altman podcast, Mullen expressed that it is difficult to distinguish real founders in seed-stage startups, but looking at shoes gives a clue. He stated that those wearing dirty white sneakers are founders who concentrate on their work and do not care much about their appearance. As an example, he told how he bought a new pair of shoes for Rahul Behal, the founder of a company he invested in, because Behal wore very worn-out sneakers.

However, Mullen adds that dirty shoes are only a sign, and the most important thing is the founder's dedication to their work. The condition of the shoes is considered a visible sign of how much a founder works and how focused they are on their business. Mullen points out that this approach highlights the importance of focusing on entrepreneurs' dedication to their work rather than their appearance.