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Founders share VC horror stories, and some are naming names
Tech founders on social media recount horror stories from VC pitch meetings, highlighting incidents like VCs falling asleep and ghosting. The conversation sheds light on the often opaque fundraising process, showcasing both negative and positive experiences. Notably, stories include VC misjudgments and odd behavior, revealing the dynamic nature of investor-founder relationships in the tech industry.
Key points
- Founders shared VC horror stories on social media, particularly on X, initiated by Greg Isenberg.
- Common narratives included VCs falling asleep during pitch meetings, with some founders still receiving investment despite this.
- Travis Kalanick recounted a story of chasing a VC into the parking lot to continue his pitch.
- Matthew Prince revealed a Sequoia partner passed on Cloudflare due to gender biases regarding leadership.
- Several founders emphasized the opacity of the fundraising process and the unexpected nature of many VC interactions.
Why it matters
- The importance of VC relationships has grown, with transparency and accountability becoming vital trends in 2025.
- Recent discussions on diversity in tech have intensified, reflecting on biases like those experienced by Cloudflare's co-founder.
- Current VC behaviors spotlight a shift towards more equitable founder dynamics, resonating with 'founder-friendly' investment practices emerging in the tech landscape.
The shared experiences of founders reveal the complexities and often challenging dynamics of VC funding, urging the need for improved transparency and better practices to enhance trust in these crucial investment relationships.