How to interview an investor

If you’re applying to a venture capitalist, it’s important to prepare for any questions they could ask about your past experience. You must be prepared to answer questions regarding your experiences in the industry and your previous deals (how you contributed value). You should be ready to answer general questions about investment like how you calculate a cap-table or the key industry ratios and key metrics.

In preparing for a meeting with an investor, it’s important to remember that investors are looking for individuals who have a genuine desire for startups at an early stage. Bring lots of enthusiasm to the interview and pay attention to what gets you excited about seed stage companies. That will make you stand out from board meeting productivity other applicants and prove to the interviewer that your skills are a perfect match for their company.

Additionally, it’s crucial to be familiar with the specific risks of investing in a startup like the typical exit strategy for an angel or seed-stage investment, the various control mechanisms that investors have access to including drag-along rights, veto rights and board composition rules. Lastly, it’s critical to be aware of the common timelines and steps involved in the process of closing an VC investment to be able to discuss how your experience fits in the timeframe.