Founder Effect
A loss of genetic variation that occurs when a new population is established by a very small number of individuals from a larger population. The new population's genetic makeup is determined by the founders.
Biological Context
Amish populations have high rates of certain genetic disorders because the founding group happened to carry those alleles. Island populations often show reduced genetic diversity due to founder effects. The smaller the founding group, the more the new population's genetics may differ from the source.
Business Application
Company founder effects: the founding team's values, skills, and biases shape organizational culture for generations. Early hires at startups disproportionately influence company DNA. Recognizing founder effects helps understand persistent organizational traits.