In a roundtable conversation, a16z speedrun investors share the signals they value most, common mistakes, and plans to improve the application process for founders
You mentioned that market size TAM is a factor. Of course, I expect you drill down to other signals, for determining an industry's attractiveness. This leads me to my first question for you: When you evaluate these markets, what specific factors or signals do you prioritise to identify those promising white spaces?
Overcoming a prevailing narrative that an industry's innovation cycle is "over" is a major hurdle.
In your experience, what is the most effective way to reframe that conversation?
How would you build a compelling case to convince investors to look past their pattern recognition and see the specific opportunity a founder has identified?
I'm very interested to learn more about your framework for this.
Great article, very illuminating! As far as planned improvements to the application process, I think something that would be really helpful to both you the partners and we the applicants would be a simple checklist in your review UI where you can quickly tick off the reason(s) why you’re rejecting the application. Something like:
This is amazing !!
Gold!
Don't be suprised if I get into SR006 💪🏼
Thank you for sharing. 👏🏾⚡
So much learning! Thanks
You mentioned that market size TAM is a factor. Of course, I expect you drill down to other signals, for determining an industry's attractiveness. This leads me to my first question for you: When you evaluate these markets, what specific factors or signals do you prioritise to identify those promising white spaces?
Overcoming a prevailing narrative that an industry's innovation cycle is "over" is a major hurdle.
In your experience, what is the most effective way to reframe that conversation?
How would you build a compelling case to convince investors to look past their pattern recognition and see the specific opportunity a founder has identified?
I'm very interested to learn more about your framework for this.
Great article, very illuminating! As far as planned improvements to the application process, I think something that would be really helpful to both you the partners and we the applicants would be a simple checklist in your review UI where you can quickly tick off the reason(s) why you’re rejecting the application. Something like:
• Traction
• Team
• TAM
• Description
• Other