Questions to Ask Investors in First Meeting
Strategic questions to assess investor fit, understand their expectations, value-add, and ensure alignment before taking their money.
1What attracted you to our company, and what do you see as our biggest opportunity?
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What attracted you to our company, and what do you see as our biggest opportunity?
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Why this works
Reveals whether they understand your business and have a clear thesis for investing.
2What is your typical investment size and structure—equity, convertible note, SAFE?
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What is your typical investment size and structure—equity, convertible note, SAFE?
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Why this works
Clarifies capital expectations and how the deal will be structured.
3What stage and sectors do you typically invest in, and where do we fit?
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What stage and sectors do you typically invest in, and where do we fit?
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Why this works
Ensures you're the right fit for their portfolio and investment strategy.
4Beyond capital, what value do you bring to your portfolio companies?
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Beyond capital, what value do you bring to your portfolio companies?
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Why this works
Assesses whether they're strategic partners or just check-writers.
5Can you share examples of how you've helped other companies succeed?
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Can you share examples of how you've helped other companies succeed?
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Why this works
Provides proof of value-add and what support looks like in practice.
6What are your expectations for communication and reporting?
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What are your expectations for communication and reporting?
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Why this works
Clarifies how hands-on they'll be and what updates they expect.
7How involved do you want to be in strategic decisions and operations?
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How involved do you want to be in strategic decisions and operations?
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Why this works
Sets boundaries and ensures you're aligned on governance and autonomy.
8What does your decision-making process look like, and what timeline should we expect?
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What does your decision-making process look like, and what timeline should we expect?
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Why this works
Manages expectations for next steps and how long due diligence will take.
9What concerns or risks do you see with our business, and how would you mitigate them?
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What concerns or risks do you see with our business, and how would you mitigate them?
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Why this works
Surfaces objections early and tests their strategic thinking.
10What milestones or metrics would you expect us to hit with this funding?
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What milestones or metrics would you expect us to hit with this funding?
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Why this works
Clarifies success criteria and how progress will be measured.
11How do you handle conflicts or disagreements with founders?
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How do you handle conflicts or disagreements with founders?
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Why this works
Reveals communication style and whether they're collaborative or combative.
12What is your approach to follow-on funding in subsequent rounds?
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What is your approach to follow-on funding in subsequent rounds?
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Why this works
Assesses whether they'll support you long-term or exit early.
13Can you provide references from other founders you've worked with?
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Can you provide references from other founders you've worked with?
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Why this works
Allows you to vet them just as they're vetting you.
14What is your fund's timeline and lifecycle, and how does that affect our partnership?
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What is your fund's timeline and lifecycle, and how does that affect our partnership?
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Why this works
Ensures their exit timeline aligns with your growth trajectory.
15How do you handle situations where companies struggle or pivot?
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How do you handle situations where companies struggle or pivot?
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Why this works
Shows whether they're supportive partners or quick to bail.
16What role, if any, would you want on the board or in an advisory capacity?
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What role, if any, would you want on the board or in an advisory capacity?
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Why this works
Clarifies formal involvement and governance expectations.
17How do you think about valuation, and what would you consider fair for this round?
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How do you think about valuation, and what would you consider fair for this round?
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Why this works
Opens pricing conversation and tests alignment on company worth.
18What would make you most excited to move forward with this investment?
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What would make you most excited to move forward with this investment?
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Why this works
Invites them to articulate their enthusiasm and what would seal the deal.
19What questions do you have for us that we haven't covered yet?
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What questions do you have for us that we haven't covered yet?
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Why this works
Ensures mutual understanding and surfaces any lingering concerns.
20What are the next steps, and what materials or information do you need from us?
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What are the next steps, and what materials or information do you need from us?
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Why this works
Closes with clarity and keeps momentum moving forward.
Navigating First Investor Meetings
Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.