VC-Founder Interactions

Discussions critique venture capitalists' behaviors and advice during founder meetings, debate optimal strategies for pitching, and question the value of seeking VC funding.

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Keywords

SVB US OP IMO WSJ archive.ph SVP EIR BTW blogs.wsj vc vcs founders money svb invest founder startups venture firms

Sample Comments

z3ncyberpunk Mar 28, 2024 View on HN

VCs talking about other VCs to pretend VCs are important people

gaius Mar 17, 2015 View on HN

Advice from a VC is offered for their benefit, not yours.

pbreit Jul 22, 2015 View on HN

If a VC balks at this maybe a blessing for you?

spaceman_2020 Aug 12, 2023 View on HN

Are all VCs like this or did OP strike out with some bad apples?

marcell Dec 18, 2023 View on HN

Disagree, I’ve heard “no” from dozens of VCs. They sometimes even give a post hoc rationalization.

mattmaroon Dec 28, 2012 View on HN

I'm not sure this would help you with raising VC or angel money, in fact it would probably hurt you. All VCs are looking to invest in the next Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerberg, etc. They believe, probably more than they should, in the cult of personality school of investing. If anything you'd probably want to act toward them as if you did it all yourself.

pg Apr 16, 2008 View on HN

Most VCs you can safely tell you're not currently looking for money, and they'll still help you. If you're good, they'll want to start a relationship in case you need money later.

zarathustreal May 16, 2024 View on HN

Why not both? VCs are human, hurt feelings are probably a negative signal

vmception Oct 20, 2021 View on HN

The incentive to stand out in a VC meeting is too high.

MalcolmDiggs Oct 1, 2014 View on HN

Yes definitely. Remember that many (not all, but many) VCs see themselves as investing in the person, not necessarily the idea. So it'd follow that they'd like to get to know you as thoroughly as they can.