Funding meetings are a make or break moment, yet there’s one major mistake that many founders make – assuming that the pitch meeting is the point when investors make a decision. In reality, investors have half made a decision before that point – when they Google who they’re about to meet. In a world where first impressions matter, online footprint plays a huge part in success.
Investors routinely Google founder names, LinkedIn profiles, and any pertinent articles. What they find in these searches shapes their first impression, and heavily affects their final decision.
This is where a credibility gap appears. The founder’s presentation claims them to be a solid and experienced founder. Yet, Google says the opposite.
In reality, a funding meeting isn’t the start of the evaluation process. It’s the middle. The process actually begins when a venture capitalist searches for a name and begins their due diligence.
What do Investors Look For?
Initial research is surprisingly simple yet speaks volumes. When a venture capitalist Googles, (name), founder/CEO/entrepreneur, they access a wealth of information. In effect, it’s the founder’s personal brand right at their fingertips, and can inform them about expertise, previous ventures, thought leadership approaches, and media. The issue isn’t the amount of information, but a lack of credibility due to its generic nature. It speaks of entrepreneur reputation without giving the evidence to back it up.
A strong online footprint isn’t difficult to create provided you know what investors are actually looking for. It comes down to one thing – proof. Investors aren’t interested in vague claims or generic credentials. They want to see a proven capability to execute and succeed. They want to feel confident in their choice before they’ve even met the person.
Another vital piece of the puzzle is domain expertise evidence. Can this person give a clear perspective through the written word, speech, and in an advisory position. They’re looking for clear indicators about the strength and credibility of their funding team, and it’s one of the most vital factors in investment decisions today. In many cases, VCs often focus on this more than the actual business idea itself.
Ultimately, investors want to know that their questions are fully answered before the meeting begins, explaining their focus on due diligence.
The pitch could be outstanding. The product could be on another level. Yet, a weak online presence throws doubt into the equation, causing friction from the start. Research has shown that 70-90% of acquisitions fail due to inadequate diligence. Founders see this, focus on it, and it influences their choice.
The Proactive Approach
Understanding that a pitch meeting isn’t where the process begins is the first step toward success. Yet, taking proactive measures toward ensuring a solid and positive online presence is key.
First, start establishing credibility months before fundraising preparation even begins. Remember that building a strong presence isn’t an overnight process, and the sooner work begins, the better. A good option is to look toward interview content. This is a format that pitches a question and then an answer. The reason it’s so positively received is because it allows evidence to enter the picture. It’s not about vague claims; instead, founders can consider questions investors want to ask and give that information before the pitch meeting begins. It’s a way of influencing their decision before the day even arrives.
Platforms such as Discussli allow founders to create Q&A profiles that are SEO-optimised to appear in search results. The Q&A format is also what AI search engines love to index and use when generating answers, future-proofing your online presence. Not only does this ensure strong visibility, but it saves time for both sides, ensuring a strong first impression ahead of that all-important pitch meeting.For more information, visit discussli.com.
