True one shouldn't get too caught up in the narrative - past, current, or future. But. A good founder story will work wonders. It can be the key differentiator between you and the 12 other hyper local mobile social app out there. It's stuff that press and connectors can run with. But yes, the predictability of that marketing formula is also annoying. The tech startup industry has a reputation valuing the "brainy", but it's also susceptible to typical marketing tactics.
This reminds me of the advice I got right out of college into the competitive NYC publishing world. "Be nice to everybody.... And keep shaking that tree. Something's bound to fall out!"
Part of the message was to practice determination and stamina in general, but it also referred to the need to do so while "networking" and building relationships.
It's easy to take meetings and mingle when you're the prettiest girl in the room. But when you're mister average just trying to start something in life, it's seems more of a test of resilience than a pleasant conversation.