Have you ever wanted to hear feedback from investors about what they’re looking for in a crowded market?

At a recent panel for startups, several experienced investors shared candid advice on what actually makes a startup stand out—and what immediately turns them off.

Overloading a pitch with trendy terms (especially AI) can hurt credibility if you can’t clearly explain how the technology is truly embedded in your product. Investors also emphasized three fundamentals they look for every time:
⚡Is the market big enough to support a truly large company?
⚡Why this founder or founding team… what gives you a real edge?
⚡And where’s the validation? Traction, customers, revenue, or real-world feedback all count.

For AI startups in particular, the message was consistent: domain expertise, honest competitive analysis, a clear go-to-market strategy, and proof that your product enables something meaningfully new.

What do you think about this advice? Does it match what you’ve seen (or heard) while fundraising—or does anything surprise you?

You can read more about the panel and this advice here: https://techcrunch.com/2025/12/29/vcs-spill-what-they-really-want-to-hear-in-a-founder-pitch/

As a startup attorney, I work alongside founders as they navigate fundraising, growth, and the decisions that come with building something meaningful. If you’re on this journey, I’m always glad to be part of the conversation.

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