Why Designers Are Perfect for Leading the Next Wave of Tech Companies

Image source: Designer Founders

Here at hili, we couldn't help but get excited about Designer Fund's recent announcement regarding their new website Designer Founders highlighting learnings from designers who founded some of the world’s most successful tech companies. As a company with design at its core, this resonates deeply with our journey at hili.

The Perfect Storm for Designer Founders

We're living in a remarkable moment for designers to build companies. AI technology has reached an impressive level of maturity, while software tools now allow small teams to build at 10x the speed for a fraction of the cost. This combination creates the perfect environment for designers to step into leadership roles and build meaningful tech companies.

As the gap between competing AI technologies narrows, what will increasingly matter is the product experience—and that's where designers truly shine. We understand how to make technology feel intuitive rather than intimidating, how to build emotional connections alongside algorithms, and how to create value propositions people will actually pay for.

Why Designers See What Others Miss

At hili, our journey began with a simple observation: trust has become incredibly valuable online, and it's getting harder to find. Despite having powerful technology at our fingertips, people still turn to friends and personal connections for recommendations that matter. It took a designer's perspective to see how this broken trust could be rebuilt through authentic connections—creating a platform where trusted exchanges happen effortlessly.

Designers have unique skills for understanding human needs and envisioning solutions that don't yet exist. As Brian Chesky of Airbnb perfectly stated:

"Ultimately, when I joined Y Combinator, Paul Graham said, 'Make something people want.' Well who knows what people want as well as designers? Not many other people. That is a core value that we can offer to the world, and more designers should rise up and start companies."

How Design Skills Translate to Startup Success

The skills that make someone an exceptional designer are surprisingly transferable to building and scaling a successful startup:

1. User-centered thinking: Designers are trained to start with the person, not the technology. This focus helps create products that solve real problems people care about enough to pay for—the foundation of any viable business.

2. Iteration and resilience: Design is a process of continuous improvement. Designers are comfortable with feedback cycles, testing assumptions, and pivoting when needed—exactly what early-stage startups must do to find product-market fit.

3. Systems thinking: Good designers don't just solve isolated problems; they understand how parts work together in a cohesive system. This translates perfectly to understanding business models, team dynamics, and market ecosystems.

4. Visual storytelling: Designers excel at making complex ideas simple and compelling. This skill is invaluable for pitching investors, marketing to customers, and inspiring teams—all crucial for startup success.

5. Balancing vision and constraints: Designers know how to work within limitations while still creating something beautiful and functional. Startups face constant constraints (time, money, resources), and this balance is essential for sustainable growth.

At hili, we've seen how these design skills shape our approach to building a business—from identifying our initial target communities to creating a sustainable revenue model that aligns with our mission of authentic connection.

Building a Better Future Through Design

At hili, we believe that design thinking is essential for creating technology that truly serves people. Our mission to connect consumers with products and services they will love reflects this human-centered approach. The coming years will be transformative for technology and society and designer founders will play a crucial role in creating companies that better serve humanity.

We're excited to be part of this movement and encourage more designers to rise up and start companies that make a difference.