Startup founders say they admire Elon Musk more than any other tech CEO

Advertisement

Tech startups talk a lot about vision. Every now and then, their Grand Ideas™ genuinely change society. Other times, they're delusions of grandeur. But that notion of thinking in sweeping terms is a constant.

Advertisement

So it shouldn't be surprising that, as this chart from Statista shows, the luminary those startups like the most is the guy who wants to colonize another planet. In a recent survey by VC firm First Round Capital, Tesla and SpaceX boss Elon Musk was named the most admirable tech leader by 23% of the 700+ startup founders surveyed. That was well ahead of Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos (10%) and Facebook head Mark Zuckerberg (6%).

Musk's popularity makes sense: He has his hands in big topics like alternative energy and space exploration, he's open with his beliefs, and, perhaps tellingly, he makes big proclamations despite a penchant for missing deadlines.

Complimentary Tech Event
Transform talent with learning that works
Capability development is critical for businesses who want to push the envelope of innovation.Discover how business leaders are strategizing around building talent capabilities and empowering employee transformation.Know More

What's also worth noting: The list of most-liked tech CEOs is mostly men. The same survey showed 23% of female respondents cited a "lack of industry role models or mentors" as the main driver behind the underrepresentation of women and minorities in tech, and the most admired female tech leader was Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg, who was cited by 1% of respondents.

Advertisement

tech leaders chart

Statista

Disclosure: Jeff Bezos is an investor in Business Insider through hispersonal investment company Bezos Expeditions.