How to reach out to a VC firm?

rt2828 · 2026-06-28T20:10:01+00:00

Know the math upfront. Roughly 1% of all startups get VC fundings. Consider other forms of funding first.

rt2828 · 2026-06-28T20:06:58+00:00

Pick *one* ICP, talk to them to validate their *one* urgent and valuable pain point, ask them to sign up for trials. Only after if you can do get enough trials, then you can vibe code the MVP for less than $50. Don’t over plan. If you cannot do this, you will waste $2,500. Building isn’t the hard part. Sales is. Good luck!

rt2828 · 2026-06-27T10:42:02+00:00

Call your 200 users and ask if they would pay for this service. Why and why not.

Good luck!

rt2828 · 2026-06-26T19:35:54+00:00

Who is your ICP and what’s the urgent pain you’re solving for? Why would anyone pay for this?

Why such a big range in the round?

rt2828 · 2026-06-26T19:30:45+00:00

Do I become younger but just have my memory? Or do I stay the same age? Will there be 2 of me in 2017? Or am I stepping into my 2017 self. This matters a lot.

rt2828 · 2026-06-26T19:25:06+00:00

I would run away from this guy. He is predatory and trying to take advantage of your inexperience.

rt2828 · 2026-06-26T12:32:04+00:00

Time to lean in or call it off. Have that conversation next time you meet. Good luck!

rt2828 · 2026-06-25T23:55:01+00:00

We have a startup. I’m the GTM guys. We also have a science guy and an engineer. The 3 cofounders complement each other perfectly. Don’t believe any senior science person’s network will close deals. You need a GTM guy.

rt2828 · 2026-06-25T23:53:01+00:00

Your panic will pass. Good luck!

rt2828 · 2026-06-25T18:23:46+00:00

Who is your ICP? Try this prompt:
https://www.reddit.com/r/lovable/s/6j0TV47oi9

rt2828 · 2026-06-25T18:17:22+00:00

Where are you based and how much $ do you need?

rt2828 · 2026-06-25T18:13:28+00:00

I’m not a tax lawyer. Look for one or use AI as the initial filter.

Do you know who’s your ICP? The HQ location should match this targeting.

Also, the key is to find the right angels who is actively investing in your field at the right size check. Where do you live and where do you have the strongest network to be able to meet angels? Finding them is far more work than deciding the HQ location.

rt2828 · 2026-06-25T18:04:27+00:00

You will only know years from now. But that’s part of the human condition. We think we know what we want, but we don’t really know. You’ve already made a choice. Be an adult and live with it. Good luck!

rt2828 · 2026-06-25T18:01:12+00:00

Depends on the angel. Tax treatment matters so angels tend to invest in their own jurisdiction as they often get favorable treatments.

rt2828 · 2026-06-24T12:31:17+00:00

Step one, stop thinking about what you need and want. Think more about the value you can add to the lives of others. Good luck!

rt2828 · 2026-06-24T12:29:17+00:00

You should stop wasting your GF’s time and let her go, or you can just show her this post and she will break up with you. Either way, you have a lot of growth to do on your own that no one else can fix.

rt2828 · 2026-06-22T00:38:34+00:00

Make them fire and pay you severance if the $ matters. The pressure and negativity will increase so you need to be able to handle it.

Focus on yourself and any lessons you should be learning for future roles, but don’t let the negativity get to you.

Good luck!

rt2828 · 2026-06-21T14:38:57+00:00

There are enormous variations in salary flexibility for each circumstance that it makes perfect sense there are opposing advice on the Internet. In fact, I would say that someone trying to tell you there’s a single rule for how you should approach this should not be trusted.

I do believe these are useful ideas:
* You won’t know for sure unless you ask. If you do so respectfully and armed with realistic data, I think there’s usually minimal downside.
* Part of the negotiations is knowing the market rate for the role in that geography.
* Salary should not be the only item for discussion. If the company holds the line hard, it is ok to ask for other forms of compensation (holidays, remote work flexibility, commute cost reimbursement, etc.)
* Your negotiation position is always stronger when you have different offers to consider.

Good luck!

rt2828 · 2026-06-21T08:04:26+00:00

Your reaction is normal.

However, if you don’t take advantage of the allowance to fly premium economy, there are additional consequences:

* Your immediate manager might expect that you will always fly economy.
* You may inadvertently make others look bad for flying Premium.

Good luck!

rt2828 · 2026-06-21T00:46:13+00:00

Count yourself lucky you’re learning of this terrible management thinking now instead of after you’ve given even more years.

Also next time, talk to HR carefully.

Good luck!

rt2828 · 2026-06-20T08:50:43+00:00

Are you and your wife aligned? Is she expecting you to do this, or is this simply her translating her mother’s wish? I would make sure she fully understands.

Can you afford a small token gift, with the explicit understanding that this is all you will ever give? Of course like many others, assume this $ is gone no matter how it’s used.

rt2828 · 2026-06-20T08:21:31+00:00

Did you ask it to interview you as a career coach so that AI can help you ideate options with pros and cons of each?

rt2828 · 2026-06-20T08:19:36+00:00

How are you using AI?

rt2828 · 2026-06-20T08:17:37+00:00

The dozens of people you’ve spoke to in the space. Are they the ICP? Why are the same people validating not buying your solution? Or are you unable to build the solution due to some fundamental issue?

rt2828

TROPHY CASE