In this episode of Invisible Ink, veteran operator Dr. Ron Weissman joins Shubha Chakravarthy to challenge some of the most entrenched myths in early-stage fundraising. Drawing on decades as a VC, angel investor, board member, and former NeXT executive who worked closely with Steve Jobs, Ron explains why startups fail.
Key takeaways from the episode include:
- Why some founders immediately feel investable—even before the deck comes up
- The question investors are really trying to answer in the first few minutes
- What years of looking at deals teaches investors that pitch contests never do
- Why getting a fast yes from an investor can be more dangerous than a slow no
- The part of diligence most founders don’t realize they’re being evaluated on
- What investors listen for when founders describe their market—not their product
- How investors tell the difference between a strong pitch and a strong business
- When a funding path helps you—and when it starts working against you
- The moment investors decide whether they want to work with you long-term
- What a founder’s roadmap reveals that no slide ever says out loud
- How deal structure shapes the relationship long before anything goes wrong
- The shift in thinking investors expect from founders aiming to build category leaders
and much more!
