Roses Are Red, VCs Have Cash—Here’s How to Make Your Startup Match

Startups and investors are always on the hunt for the right match. Both parties seek mutual benefits. Like any relationship, success requires time and understanding. Careful evaluation is needed to determine if it’s the right path forward.

However, this relationship isn’t meant to last forever. It has an expiration date. Eventually, startups and investors will part ways—perhaps reuniting in the future if the initial partnership was fruitful.

Time Matters in This Relationship

Why? Because startups face intense competition every day. Many entrepreneurs are tackling the same problems and developing similar solutions. So, who wins the race? Several factors play a role. However, two key ones stand out. They are access to capital and the ability to execute efficiently in the market. Startups don’t have six months or a year to sit back and strategize—they must move fast.

On the investor side, money isn’t usually the issue. The challenge lies in selecting the best startup to back. This requires extensive due diligence, but speed is also critical. The best deals don’t wait—another investor may step in first. And when the startup you passed on goes on to achieve a lucrative exit, the regret stings.

So, how do we bridge the gap? How do we shorten the time needed to understand each other and create a true win-win situation for both startups and investors?

For Startups: Winning Over Your Perfect Investor

1. Do Your Homework Read carefully and move fast. First, does the investor’s thesis align with your company? You’d be surprised how many startups reach out to investors who have clearly stated they only fund certain types of businesses. For example, if an investor is focused on pre-seed funding for founders from a specific accelerator program, they will not consider startups outside of that scope. It’s a waste of time for those startups to send cold emails.
2. Have Your Fundamentals in Place If you haven’t figured out your exit strategy, secured your legal documents, or defined how you’ll generate returns for investors, you’re not ready for serious funding. At the early stage, you may rely on the “three Fs” (Family, Friends, and Fools). However, professional investors are not fools. They will conduct rigorous due diligence. Starting clean from the beginning will minimize future roadblocks and increase your chances of securing capital.
3. Seek Guidance There are programs designed to help startups understand fundraising, investor expectations, and market positioning. Leverage them. Getting expert support can mean the difference between struggling to secure funding and successfully scaling your company.

For Investors: Finding the Next Big Thing Before It’s Gone

1. Get Involved and Educate Yourself You want to invest in great deals, but fear holds you back—fear of the unknown. Questions like “Do I understand this technology?” or “What’s the realistic ROI?” create hesitation. The best way to overcome this is through education. Join investor groups, attend pitch events, and stay informed. The more knowledge you gain, the faster and more confidently you can make investment decisions.
2. Engage with Founders Respond to emails, meet with entrepreneurs, and build relationships. The best investments don’t always come from a polished pitch deck—they come from conversations, trust, and shared vision. If you sit back and wait for a great deal to find you, you’ll likely miss out on some of the best opportunities.
3. Diversify Your Network Your wealthy friends may be savvy investors, but relying only on them limits your exposure. Expand your network to include industry experts, early-stage investors, and venture capital professionals. Different perspectives will strengthen your decision-making process.

Final Thoughts

If we want to make the startup ecosystem faster and more efficient, we can’t just throw cash like confetti or pitch investors like desperate romantics. Success requires reading, connecting, and continuously learning—because in the world of startups and VC, the best matches aren’t just made with money, but with strategy, timing, and a little bit of love (for the deal, of course!).