What VC/startup intel do you want more of every week?

Real question for founders 👇 Before you even send the first email to a VC — they already know who you are. They've looked at your hires. They've seen your partnerships. They've noticed if you've gone quiet. Most founders spend months perfecting their deck. The funded ones spent those months sending the right signals. What do YOU think VCs look for before you pitch? Drop a comment 👇 I read every one

What stage are you at right now?

What is your goal this year?

What's stopping you from raising your next funding round?

What matters more in a startup?

I've been tracking VC deal flow for years. After analyzing hundreds of rounds, there are three patterns that consistently show up before a startup raises:

1. Leadership hiring velocity

When a Series A startup suddenly posts 3+ VP-level roles in a month, they're building the org chart for the next stage. This precedes a raise by 60-90 days almost every time.

2. Strategic partnership announcements

Companies that announce partnerships with enterprise players right before fundraising are building social proof for their deck. Watch for "integration" and "partnership" announcements on LinkedIn — they're often timed.

3. Founder conference circuit activation

If a founder goes from zero public appearances to speaking at 2-3 events in a quarter, they're warming up their network. This is the clearest signal of all.

These are the kinds of patterns I break down every week at Venture Wire — with names, numbers, and what it means for operators watching the market.