[aeturnum]

> Once he graduated from high school, the way he differentiated, including being friendly to future VC’s was his own doing and drive.

I think this only makes sense if you believe that "being friendly to future VC's" is entirely independent from "the family you were born into" - to which I would add social class and family connections. Given my experience with friendships and professional relationships I think you would have an advantage in getting to meet a VC and then making a good impression if you had experience interacting with people like them.

None of this is to say that it's impossible to make it without those advantages, but they do exist.