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What are the best ways to build and maintain trust with founders over time?

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Trust is the foundation of any successful relationship, especially in the venture capital (VC) world. As a VC, you want to support and empower the founders you invest in, not just with money, but also with advice, feedback, and connections. But how do you build and maintain trust with founders over time, especially when you have to balance multiple portfolio companies, deal with challenges, and navigate conflicts? Here are some best practices to follow.

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Eric Lay

Founder & CEO @ Stealth | 3X ROI Guaranteed for B2B Founders | Cofounder @ Aceocial | Toronto Tech Fest
Rupert Bull
Ed Gonsalves

Director at The Cooplexity Institute

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, goals, and feedback. Don't sugarcoat or hide the truth, even if it's unpleasant or difficult. Founders appreciate when you are upfront and clear about what you can offer, what you expect, and what you think of their progress. Transparency and honesty also help you avoid misunderstandings, misalignments, and disappointments later on.

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Ed Gonsalves

Director at The Cooplexity Institute
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Here's how our toolkits facilitate trust with founder clients: Listen First: Prioritise understanding the founder. Ask questions, don't make it about you. Offer Honest Feedback: Provide kind but candid critiques AND acknowledge progress. Coach Through Complexity: Share expertise, but let founders lead. It's their business. Open Doors: Connect founders with partners & customers, but respect their autonomy. Align on Vision: Make expectations & milestones explicit. Walk the Talk: Follow through on commitments with integrity. Resolve Constructively: Address disagreements early & collaborate on solutions. Show Loyalty: Empathise with founders in tough times. Remind them why you invested. Celebrate Wins: Recognise both big & small achievements.

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2 Be respectful and supportive

Another way to build trust with founders is to be respectful and supportive of their vision, decisions, and challenges. Respect their autonomy and expertise, and don't micromanage or impose your agenda. Support their growth and development, and celebrate their achievements and milestones. Show empathy and compassion when they face difficulties or failures, and offer constructive and actionable suggestions. Respect and support also help you foster a positive and collaborative relationship with founders.

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Eric Lay

Founder & CEO @ Stealth | 3X ROI Guaranteed for B2B Founders | Cofounder @ Aceocial | Toronto Tech Fest
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Warm intros are probably the best way a VC can support a founder. These introductions are usually made by a VC who has a pre-existing relationship which can be highly beneficial for founders looking to raise capital, secure partnerships, hire new employees, find customers, or seek strategic advice. A VC can be proactive in supporting their founders by deeply understanding what are the core goals of the startup founder and looking within their network to find who would add a lot of value given their immediate needs. Once you are ready to make an intro, you can ask the two people individually if they would like to meet and setup a group email or message to get them connected.

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3 Be responsive and reliable

A third way to build trust with founders is to be responsive and reliable in your communication and actions. Respond to their emails, calls, and messages in a timely and respectful manner, and don't leave them hanging or ghost them. Follow through on your promises and commitments, and don't change your mind or back out without a good reason. Be consistent and dependable, and don't create unnecessary surprises or uncertainties. Responsiveness and reliability also help you demonstrate your value and credibility to founders.

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4 Be curious and open-minded

A fourth way to build trust with founders is to be curious and open-minded about their ideas, perspectives, and feedback. Ask thoughtful and relevant questions, and listen actively and attentively to their answers. Seek to understand their motivations, assumptions, and challenges, and don't judge or dismiss them. Be open to learning from them, and don't assume you know everything or have all the answers. Curiosity and open-mindedness also help you build rapport and mutual respect with founders.

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5 Be humble and accountable

A fifth way to build trust with founders is to be humble and accountable for your own actions, mistakes, and outcomes. Admit when you are wrong or don't know something, and apologize when you make a mistake or cause harm. Learn from your feedback and criticism, and don't take it personally or defensively. Take responsibility for your results and impact, and don't blame or deflect. Humility and accountability also help you show your integrity and authenticity to founders.

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6 Be proactive and strategic

A sixth way to build trust with founders is to be proactive and strategic in your role as a VC. Don't wait for founders to come to you with problems or requests, but anticipate their needs and offer your help. Don't just react to what's happening, but plan ahead and prepare for what's coming. Don't just provide capital, but also provide resources, connections, and insights. Be proactive and strategic also help you add value and differentiation to founders.

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Rupert Bull
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As a founder I am always looking for help from my investors beyond simply funding. This is most helpful in terms of introductions to potential clients, partners or employees. Anything that can accelerate crossing the chasm and reduces the need for investment funds to be spent on it.

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7 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?

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What are the best ways to build and maintain trust with founders over time?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Be transparent and honest

2 Be respectful and supportive

3 Be responsive and reliable

4 Be curious and open-minded

5 Be humble and accountable

6 Be proactive and strategic

7 Here’s what else to consider

Venture Capital

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What are the best ways to build and maintain trust with founders over time?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Be transparent and honest

2 Be respectful and supportive

3 Be responsive and reliable

4 Be curious and open-minded

5 Be humble and accountable

6 Be proactive and strategic

7 Here’s what else to consider

Venture Capital

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