Why Your Pitch Gets Ignored

Want to know exactly what it takes to secure seed funding for your AI startup in today’s hyper-competitive market? Susan Liu, Partner at Uncork Capital, reveals the insider secrets to capturing a VC’s attention and securing the capital you need to scale. In this episode of Born in Silicon Valley, we take you behind the scenes of venture capital with one of the industry’s most insightful seed investors. Susan shares her exact blueprint for a successful cold outreach, explaining why a warm introduction is ideal but a perfectly crafted cold email can still win the day. We dive deep into the rapid growth of AI startups and discuss why proving real ROI is the ultimate shield against market bubbles. Susan also explains the concept of the obsessed founder and why having an encyclopedic knowledge of your market, product wedge, and daily numbers is non-negotiable for securing early-stage investment. Whether you are bootstrapping a vertical AI solution outside the Bay Area or building the next massive infrastructure platform, this conversation is packed with actionable advice on perfecting your pitch, running a competitive fundraising process, and knowing exactly when to raise. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 05:38 The Role of Seed Funding 09:42 Finding the Right Fit: Uncork Capital 13:27 Navigating the Funding Process 21:25 The Impact of AI on Startups 29:27 Strategies for Founders Seeking Funding 37:18 Post-Investment Support and Involvement 43:16 Market Dynamics and the Future of AI Host: Jake Aaron Villarreal leads the top AI recruitment firm in Silicon Valley, www.matchrelevant.com, uncovering stories of funded startups and going behind the scenes to tell their founders’ journeys. If you are growing an AI startup or have a great story to tell, email us at: [email protected]