What VCs Actually Want (And Why Most Founders Get It Wrong) with Sam Marchant

Most founders think they're not getting investment because their pitch deck isn't good enough. Sam Marchant says that's almost never the reason. As a VC partner who's backed north of 100 companies, he's pretty clear on what actually kills a raise before it starts.In this episode we cover:Why VC is purely growth capital and why judging your business by whether you can raise it is a mistake most founders makeThe bar Sam's fund 21 Ventures actually sets before writing a cheque. all four of their last investments came in at over £1 million ARR with exited founding teamsWhy 90% of founders reaching out for investment have a skill gap problem, not a funding problem, and why giving them money doesn't fix itHow Sam decides whether to back a founder in the first 30 minutes of a call and why the rejection is almost always about the person, not the productThe one thing that can never be outsourced, no matter how early or how big the business isSam Marchant is a partner at 21 Ventures, a venture capital fund. He's also co-founder of Scaling MENA, a media company covering the startup ecosystem in the region. He previously co-founded and exited a CPG business and has been investing at angel and fund level ever since.Follow The Entrepreneur's Cut wherever you listen.