Reading into Investors' Mind as You Pitch

Not all investors are equally transparent or expressive about what they really think of your business idea—and for good reason. Sometimes, they’re unsure if the idea will work, especially at the very early stage. Other times, your startup may simply fall outside their investment mandate or thesis. And occasionally, silence is just a polite way of stepping back—particularly if they lack the subject matter expertise to contribute meaningfully.

To help demystify this process, we’ve simplified what often goes on in an investor’s mind into 3 big questions and 10 key signals they’re looking for when you, as a founder, get the opportunity to present your business.