What builds strong VC-founder partnerships?

Hans Tung

Managing Partner · Notable Capital

Decades of Experience

Hans Tung says founders want investors with decades of experience, because that pattern recognition from seeing operational questions repeatedly helps founders make better decisions rather than repeating mistakes themselves.

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Chris Moran

VP, GM LM Ventures · Lockheed Martin

Aligned Strategy

Chris Moran says founders should find out an investor's strategy and, if it aligns well with what the company is doing, it could be a really great relationship.

The answer starts at 30:51.

Josh Kopelman

Founder and Partner · First Round Capital

Unvarnished Opinion, Unwavering Support

Josh Kopelman says founders who choose his capital should get two things from him: his unvarnished opinion, since he can tell them how similar situations tend to play out, and his unwavering support, since he is only one data point and founders have far more context.

Itamar Novick

Founder & General Partner · Recursive Ventures

Aligned Interests

Itamar Novick says strong partnerships come down to aligned interests, warning founders not to get in bed with people whose needs are not inherently aligned with theirs.

The answer starts at 37:53.

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Ian Rountree

General Partner · Cantos

Honest, Aligned Relationship

Ian Rountree says a strong long-term partnership comes down to whether you can have an honest conversation with the person and enjoy their presence, citing the airport test as a common answer.

The answer starts at 41:59.

Nigel Morris

Co founder and Managing Partner · Qed Investors

Trusted Complementary Partners

Nigel Morris says surrounding yourself with people who complement you and whom you trust creates real capability, citing his Capital One partnership with Rich Fairbank as an example.