How do you demonstrate to founders that you are invested in their success?

1 Be transparent and honest

One of the most important ways to build trust with founders is to be transparent and honest about your expectations, feedback, and decisions. Don't sugarcoat your opinions, hide your motives, or make promises you can't keep. Be clear about what you can offer, what you expect in return, and how you evaluate their performance. Be respectful of their time and autonomy, and avoid micromanaging or interfering with their operations. Be open to learning from them, and acknowledge their expertise and achievements.

2 Provide value and support

Another way to show your commitment to founders is to provide value and support beyond capital. This could include introducing them to potential customers, partners, mentors, or hires, sharing relevant insights, resources, or best practices, or helping them with strategic, operational, or technical challenges. You can also offer emotional support, especially during difficult times, and celebrate their wins and milestones. Show genuine interest and curiosity in their product, market, and vision, and ask thoughtful questions that challenge them to think bigger and better.

3 Align your incentives and interests

A third way to demonstrate your involvement to founders is to align your incentives and interests with theirs. This means that you should have a shared vision of the long-term goals and outcomes of the business, and agree on the milestones, metrics, and timelines that measure progress. You should also have a fair and transparent deal structure that reflects the risk-reward balance and the value creation potential of the venture. You should avoid conflicts of interest, hidden agendas, or competing priorities that could undermine your relationship or compromise your fiduciary duty.

4 Communicate frequently and effectively

A fourth way to prove your engagement to founders is to communicate frequently and effectively with them. This means that you should establish a regular cadence and format of communication that suits both parties, and stick to it. You should also be responsive, accessible, and respectful when communicating, and use the appropriate channels and tools. You should give constructive feedback, praise, and advice, and listen actively and empathetically to their feedback, concerns, and requests. You should also communicate clearly and consistently with other stakeholders, such as co-investors, board members, or advisors.

5 Foster a long-term relationship

A fifth way to indicate your dedication to founders is to foster a long-term relationship with them. This means that you should treat them as partners, not transactions, and invest in their personal and professional growth. You should also respect their decisions, even if you disagree with them, and support them through pivots, failures, or exits. You should also seek feedback from them on how you can improve as an investor, and act on it. You should also maintain contact and connection with them after the investment, and explore opportunities for future collaboration or referrals.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?