Questions VCs Will Ask You

Here’s a list of questions that VCs ask startups during the diligence process, along with some color on what they are *really* asking when they pose certain questions.

This is all written from the perspective of an early stage startup investor (me 👋) meeting a new startup, but hopefully it’s a useful resource to anyone investing time or money in a startup — whether you are vetting a new idea, evaluating startup jobs, or discussing a partnership with a startup.

Generally, I try to get through most of these topics in a 45 minute “first meeting,” so that’s why it’s helpful for startups to have a well-structured narrative (often using a deck) that can guide the conversation and tell the story behind a company.

In a second or third meeting, the questions get much more specific, and they will be focused on the “what do you need to believe” assumptions for that specific company.

None of these questions are meant to be trick questions or “gotchas,” so this should just be a reference of topics to think through while prepping for an investor meeting or evaluating a new startup opportunity.

Team

Most investors will tell you that a great team is the most important part of a startup’s success (I agree!). Of course, it’s much easier to assess a team if you’ve worked with them…