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VC passes on startup that gets into YC two months later

The Pitch · The Hot Mic: Should You Start a Venture Fund?

“And when I brought them in to meet the team, the CEO was almost too deferential to the rest of the team.”

14:11 / 14:33

I loved them in the first pitch. And when I brought them in to meet the team, the CEO was almost too deferential to the rest of the team. Mhmm. But the rest of the team was in Africa with spotty Internet, so it made for a really bad experience. Ended up passing. Like, two months later, they get into YC. And every time I get one of their updates, I'm just like, this company's probably gonna be a good one.

About this clip

A VC shares the painful story of passing on a promising startup due to a poor team meeting caused by technical difficulties with remote team members in Africa. The startup was later accepted into Y Combinator, and the VC now regrets the decision as they watch the company's continued progress through investor updates.

Why this clip

This clip captures a relatable and costly mistake that highlights how operational issues can derail good investment opportunities.

14:11 - 14:3323spersonal lesson
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