Earlier this week, Slow Ventures organized an intensive three-hour program it called an “Etiquette Finishing School,” a modern and somewhat tongue-in-cheek reimagining of the old-world institutions that once trained individuals in the fine details of social conduct and professional composure. The curriculum for this brief yet meticulous session encompassed a range of subjects at the intersection of social grace and business professionalism. Participants practiced the seemingly simple but culturally loaded ritual of a perfect handshake—understood as a gesture that conveys confidence, respect, and self-assurance. They also explored the art of effective public speaking, a skill that, in the entrepreneurial realm, often separates a good idea from one that inspires belief and investment. Office decorum and workplace manners were addressed as well, providing advice on the subtler codes of interaction that shape an organization’s internal culture. To add a creative flourish to the proceedings, the event featured a full-fledged fashion show. Models walked the runway displaying ensembles tailored for various professional scenarios—ranging from casual networking sessions to formal business meetings—illustrating how visual presentation can powerfully influence perception. The evening concluded with an elegant final lesson devoted to the delicate etiquette surrounding caviar and wine, a nod to the refined aspects of global business culture where such details can still signify sophistication and competence.

According to reporting from The San Francisco Standard, interest in this unconventional educational experiment was strikingly high. Several hundred startup founders reportedly submitted applications to participate in the complimentary program, which took place at the Four Seasons in San Francisco’s financial district—a fitting backdrop given the hotel’s reputation for luxury and precision in service. Out of those applicants, only fifty were ultimately chosen to attend, a selection process that lent the event an air of exclusivity. The publication noted that the majority of these selected participants were men, a demographic pattern that subtly echoed the broader gender imbalance still common in the world of technology entrepreneurship.

The genesis of the idea, it seems, was almost accidental. The concept reportedly emerged as a lighthearted joke within Slow Ventures, initially floated at Y Combinator’s renowned Demo Day merely to gauge whether the startup community would take such an offer seriously. To the organizers’ surprise, the notion sparked genuine curiosity among founders—many of whom recognized that mastering etiquette might be as valuable as understanding market fit or scaling strategy. Despite the humorous origins, reactions from the wider startup ecosystem were mixed. Y Combinator’s CEO, Garry Tan, was said to have advised founders not to attend the event, perhaps perceiving it as peripheral to the core mission of building transformative products. Yet, in a clarifying post on X (formerly Twitter), Tan expressed that he harbored “no beef with Slow Ventures,” emphasizing in his statement that what entrepreneurs truly need is not a finishing school but the dedication to create something exceptional, satisfy their users, and uphold a sense of craftsmanship in their work.

One anonymous founder who ultimately decided to take part admitted to The Standard that their motivation stemmed from a desire to become, in their words, “less feral.” The remark, both candid and humorous, encapsulated an awareness that many in the startup scene have long exhibited a kind of chaotic rawness—creative, bold, yet often socially unrefined. Slow Ventures general partner Sam Lessin, addressing the attendees directly, articulated the rationale behind the initiative in a more serious tone. He observed that the tech industry has evolved dramatically from its former identity as a playful, even endearing field of idealists. Today, he explained, technology is inextricably linked to societal transformation: it automates labor, reshapes economies, and alters the natural and social environment. As a consequence, the public increasingly views technology with suspicion or apprehension. According to Lessin, this heightened tension demands that founders cultivate not only technical brilliance but also humility, empathy, and respectfulness. “You need to show people,” he reportedly said, “that you are present and considerate, rather than disruptive for disruption’s sake.” In essence, the “Etiquette Finishing School” was less about superficial polish and more about developing an awareness of how influence and innovation must coexist with civility, signaling that leadership in modern technology now requires both intellectual acuity and social grace.

Sourse: https://techcrunch.com/2025/11/09/slow-ventures-holds-a-finishing-school-to-help-founders-learn-to-be-fancy/