We Live to Build Why VCs Really Reject Your Startup (The "No Conviction" Truth)
What does it actually mean when a venture capitalist says they "don't have conviction" in your startup? Vaughn Crowe, an investor at MVP Capital , explains why VCs struggle to give founders honest feedback and what that dreaded rejection phrase really translates to. In this interview, Vaughn reveals how he sniffs out scammers versus real entrepreneurs by evaluating their true desire to build a big business. We discuss why having a massive advisory board at the pre-seed stage can be a major red flag , and whether founders should take a salary from their funding or bootstrap completely. Plus, he explains why leading your first VC meeting with a pitch deck is a fatal flaw and what you should do instead. Check out the company: https://nvpcapital.com
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🕒 CHAPTERS
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00:00 - How VCs Spot Fake Founders & Scammers
03:37 - Should You Hide Competing Term Sheets from VCs?
09:30 - Why Advisory Boards are a Red Flag for Early Startups
17:54 - Should Founders Take a Salary?
21:50 - Do Founders Still Need VCs in the Age of AI?
24:26 - Why VCs Won't Give You Honest Feedback
30:00 - The Real Meaning of "I Don't Have Conviction"
34:30 - Never Open a VC Meeting With a Pitch Deck
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