How to Talk to VCs

At Arditi, we value clarity, transparency, and honesty above all. We move fast and play fair - and we expect the same from founders we back. We prepared this guideline to help you prepare for Arditi VC Collective, but you'll also find that this applies when talking to VCs in general - we hope it helps!

Keep in mind that fundraising isn’t just about raising capital. It’s about building mutual trust and long-term alignment.

✅ Do’s

Be Concise

• VCs are very busy people - keep it light, clean & easy to remember.

• They don't need to know EVERYTHING on the 1st call - let your traction speak for itself.

• You have years of exp in your industry-specific niche, they don't. Keep it understandable.

Be Transparent

• Share the full picture, not just the good news.

• If something’s not working, say it early - we respect honesty over perfection.

Be Honest About Your Stage

• Where you are with traction, product, fundraising, and team.

• If you’re pre-lead or pre-revenue, it’s fine - just be upfront - come with a plan instead.

Be Clear on Your Ask

• Know how much you’re raising, your valuation, and why.

• Be direct about what you need (capital, strategy, network) - people in general are terrible at telepathy :)

Lead the Process

• You own your round.

• Keep things moving - updates, follow-ups, data rooms.

• Treat your raise like you treat your startup: with focus and urgency.

Communicate Openly

• Regular updates (good or bad) show leadership.

• We’re on your side - loop us in early, not after the fact.

❌ Don’ts

Don’t Overpromise

• We don’t expect you to have it all figured out.

• We do expect realism and integrity.

• Avoid inflated metrics, vanity KPIs, or misleading traction.

Don’t Hide Risks

• Every startup has risks - own them.

• We respect teams that can identify and manage their risks, not hide them.

Don’t Ghost

• Fundraising is a two-way street.

• If priorities shift, communicate. Silence kills deals and trust.

Don’t Chase Without a Plan

• Random outreach without a clear round structure signals chaos.

• Have your lead, terms, and strategy before going broad.