Stealth founder

A stealth founder is someone actively building a startup that isn't yet announced publicly. They're usually 2-12 months into the company, often haven't raised, and are selectively talking to potential co-founders, early hires, and investors before going public.

On a Luma guest list they signal themselves a few ways:

• Vague title. "Stealth" / "Founder, Stealth" / "Building something new."
• Recent LinkedIn departure. Their LinkedIn shows they left a senior role 1-3 months ago with no clear next destination.
• Cryptic Twitter or website. A landing page that says "coming soon" or a Twitter bio with a vague mission.

Stealth founders are disproportionately worth meeting because:

1. They're actively shaping a company - meaning hires, advisor slots, and early customer relationships are still negotiable.
2. They're often the highest-judgment people in the room - leaving a senior role to build is a strong filter.
3. Their personal network often includes investors and operators who follow them by reputation, which means meeting one stealth founder is frequently the start of a longer chain.

If you spot a stealth founder on a guest list and your goal aligns with their likely build (co-founder hunt, early product feedback, fund interest in the space), they're a high-priority Top 5 candidate. The opener that works: "Saw the stealth tag - if you're open to it, I'd love to hear what space you're in." Direct, low-pressure, gives them the choice.