Before I fund, I look for these 3 signals in the first 5 minutes.
Not traction.Not the deck.And certainly Not the TAM slide.
Just 3 signals that tell me if this founder is fundable or forgettable.
1️⃣ Clarity of pain
If you can’t describe the customer’s pain better than they can, I’m out.
Great founders don’t talk in buzzwords.
They say things like:
“Logistics managers spend 6 hours a week fixing this—most of them don’t even realize how much it costs them.”
That’s not a pitch. That’s earned insight.
2️⃣ Velocity mindset
I want to know: how fast do you learn, build, and adapt?
Early-stage startups aren’t scored on perfection.
They’re scored on speed-to-signal.
Tell me what you shipped last week, broke, or killed—and why.
3️⃣ Founder-market obsession
Not just fit—obsession.
Have you lived this problem?
Do you wake up thinking about it?
If I feel like you’re dabbling, I pass.
If I feel like you can’t not solve this, I lean in.
Here’s the truth:
I decide 80% of my conviction in the first 5 minutes.
The rest just confirms or kills it.
Founders, lead with signal. Everything else is noise.
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