By Chris Heivly, Managing Director at Build The Fort and Startup Community EIR @ Techstars

Have you ever looked at all the different words people use for “leader” in the context of a startup community? Words like pioneer, innovator, trailblazer, pathfinder, leading light, torchbearer, initiator, discoverer, architect, mentor, connector, influencer, and champion — they all sound powerful, and different and important. You might wonder, “which one am I”?

But here’s the truth: If you want to be an effective leader in your startup community, you will need to be a little bit of all of them.

This work doesn’t come with a crisp job title, a detailed job description or a tidy org chart. It comes with late nights, open calendars, and a commitment to show up again and again. And depending on the day (or hour), you’ll find yourself switching hats to serve the community best.

Let’s break it down:

1. The Pioneer - You’re the one who steps forward first — starting the first founder meetup, launching the coworking space, or taking a chance on a new idea before there’s a crowd behind you.

2. The Innovator - You keep things fresh. You see gaps and bring creative solutions — new formats, new partnerships, new ways to support founders that actually make a difference.

3. The Trailblazer - You don’t wait for best practices. You build your own path. You try things your way, you fail, you learn, and your bravery gives others permission to take risks too.

4. The Pathfinder - You help others navigate. Whether it’s guiding a first-time founder through early-stage hurdles or helping a new community member plug in, you’re the compass when things get foggy.

5. The Leading Light - You inspire through presence. When things feel tough, your optimism shines through. Your belief in what’s possible keeps others showing up.

6. The Torchbearer - You carry the values of the community — generosity, inclusion, hustle, collaboration. You walk the walk even when the road gets bumpy.

7. The Initiator - You get things moving. Whether it’s starting a newsletter, organizing an open coffee club, or gathering mentors, your bias for action is the spark that ignites progress.

8. The Discoverer - You find the hidden gems — the quiet builders, the unconnected founders, the future stars. And you make sure they get seen, heard, and celebrated.

9. The Architect - You zoom out. You’re the systems thinker, weaving programs, events, people, and institutions into a long-term vision that actually has legs.

10. The Mentor - You listen deeply. You share your scars, your lessons, and your encouragement. You lead with vulnerability. You help others process the chaos of building something from nothing.

11. The Connector - You’re the bridge. The human API. You know who needs to meet and make it happen — whether it’s a founder and an investor, or two future co-founders who just haven’t met yet.

12. The Influencer - Not the social media kind — the cultural kind. You help others take action on behalf of the ecosystem. You demonstrate what it looks like to give first, collaborate, and lift others up.

13. The Champion - You shout from the rooftops. You promote the local wins, the scrappy new startups, the quiet contributors. You make people feel seen, and that energy keeps the flywheel turning.

Here’s the real story: startup community leaders don’t just manage communities. They build them — one relationship, one spark, one story at a time. And to do that well, you’ll need every one of these hats. Not all at once, but over time.

Learn more about Techstars Startup Community partnerships, a new way for you to build your thriving startup community as a member of the Techstars network.

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