Dear SaaStr: What is the best move for a startup founder to make when he talks to a completely rude and arrogant potential investor?
Look, I can’t stand this either.
But … if you can …
Get Over It. Smile, say Thank You, and Move On.
VCs:
- Are a pretty ego-driven bunch, in part because they themselves are being judged as a number (their returns), and in part because that’s the internal culture at many firms (my cos. are the best ones), in part because many are really smart … and in part because they aren’t the CEO … so they aren’t the ones really creating value, not really;
- Often talk a little bit out of the arse b/c they don’t truly have domain / operationally experience in an area (really, they can’t, they do too many things to be an expert in any one except venture capital itself); AND
- Usually hear HUNDREDS of pitches a year and meet hundreds more founders.
- Often don’t realize they are being rude or arrogant. Just realize that.
There’s no excuse for being rude. Mom taught us that.
But while you don’t need to be sympathetic … you need to understand that’s how VC is … and thicken your skin. And remember, meeting VCs is a sales job. You’re selling. Selling stock, but selling. Prospects will ghost you, or not want to meet again, or decide you’re not the right vendor / investment … all the time. Get used to it.
Thickening your skin, dealing with all different sorts of folks, and doing what it takes to win — that’s a big part of the job of CEO.
And … you may just need that VC for your Series C. You never know.
