Why Great Startups Still Struggle to Raise: Inside the VC Decision Process

We pass on great ideas every day. Not because they’re bad—but because they’re not fundable right now. Here’s what most founders miss when it comes to understanding VC decisions.

🚩 Weak Founder-Market Fit

Founders need more than passion—they need insight. The best pitches come from those who’ve lived the problem they’re solving.

🚩 No Defensibility

Traction is great. But if the product can be copied in six months, it’s not enough. We look for moats: network effects, proprietary data, tech, or distribution lock-in.

🚩 Misunderstood Market Size

If your TAM slide is “$1 trillion market,” you’ve lost us. We want a clear bottom-up view. Small markets can work—if you dominate them.

🚩 Lack of Velocity

We don’t need perfect. But we do need motion. What have you built? What have you shipped? How fast do you move? Speed is signal.

🚩 No Clear Milestones

VC money is bridge capital. We ask: what does this round unlock? If that’s unclear, it’s a no.

We back early-stage companies—but we don’t fund potential alone. We fund clarity, urgency, and execution.