Venture Capital - What VCs Say (And What They Really Mean)

Have you ever left a VC meeting feeling confused about the feedback you received? Are you tired of trying to decipher cryptic responses from potential investors?

In this episode, Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein dive into the world of venture capital communication, breaking down common phrases VCs use and what they really mean. Drawing inspiration from a LinkedIn post by YC alum Nilay Modi, they explore the subtle (and not-so-subtle) ways investors convey their thoughts on startup pitches.

In this episode, you will:

• Decode common VC phrases like "not aligned with our strategy" and "need to see more traction"
• Understand the importance of demonstrating progress and traction to investors
• Learn why founder pedigree matters and what it really means
• Discover the motivations behind VCs asking to "keep them in the loop"
• Gain insights on balancing grand visions with practical execution plans
• Explore the role of information, deal flow, network, and judgment in VC decision-making
• Develop strategies for interpreting and responding to VC feedback effectively

Linkedin Post: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/thenilaymodi_yc-demo-day-survival-guide-what-vcs-say-activity-7244767753084051456-JEuI/

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Learn more about Chris and Yaniv

Work 1:1 with Chris:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://chrissaad.com/advisory/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow Chris on Linkedin:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissaad/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow Yaniv on Linkedin:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/ybernstein/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Credits

Editor:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Justin McArthur⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Content Strategist: Carolina Franco https://www.linkedin.com/in/francocarolina/

Intro Voice:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jeremiah Owyang⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠