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Insights on seed-stage fundraising, VC meetings, and startup evaluation.

How to Find the Right VC for Your Startup (Before You Waste 38 Meetings)
David Rakusan ·

How to Find the Right VC for Your Startup (Before You Waste 38 Meetings)

The median seed round now takes 142 days to close (Carta, 2025), and most of that time is wasted on thesis-mismatched investors who would never invest regardless of how good the pitch is. This guide, written by a founder with 7 years of VC experience, breaks down the five filters every founder should apply before pitching, why thesis mismatches are the #1 cause of ghosting, and how structured proof can turn even cold outreach into a high signal message.
venture capital startup fundraising VC thesis matching investor fit seed round how to find investors VC due diligence fundraising strategy startup funding warm introductions investor research founder guide
What VCs Actually Ask in the First 3 Meetings (And What They're Really Testing)
David Rakusan ·

What VCs Actually Ask in the First 3 Meetings (And What They're Really Testing)

VCs ask five categories of questions across three meetings, but the questions are not the point. Meeting 1 is a filter: team, market, competition. Meeting 2 is a stress test: unit economics, traction depth, consistency under pressure. Meeting 3 is systematic diligence: milestones, valuation, reference checks. An ex-VC who led 30+ due diligences breaks down what each question really tests what kills your chances before meeting 2 and how different investor types weigh the same answers differently.