How to get the truth from VCs

Good read and the points you list as How to Get More Candid Feedback are valid in many aspects of life.<p>I have found the flow of a good conversation is about activly listerning as well as talking and the point your raise "what would you do in my shoes" is a great example of that. Also removing overhead such as uneeded compliments are is another great one as anybody who is impressed by irelevant flattery is somebody who is not realy adding any value.<p>Like most of the points they can also pertain to job interviews and the parralels are huge. Remember it is a two way process and whilst your after a VC for financial backing you are also after one that can offer ontop of that with advice and contacts etc. So questions like "if it gets down to chosing from yourself and another person" what would you feel would make you stand out for us as a startup. Though you need to carefuly ask these type of questions as you can come across as too aragant and alianate yourself; Though that will also help find those who are not the best fit for your startup.<p>Good read, good advice and as I said it is alot like a job interview, your looking at the longterm and in that it is not always about the money, but the prospects down the line. It is a relationship and in that works both ways and if your just after the money there are plenty of banks who offer just that if your startup has promise. That is what a VC is in many respects, though they can and do offer more and in that you need to establish what your looking for and not rush into the first wave of money in your face.

Oh, boy. I never expected my "Maserati and supermodel" comment[1] to be quoted in a reply on this topic. OK, just for anybody who didn't realize this before:<p>That was about 40% "literal truth about how I feel", about 30% "true but somewhat metaphorical" and about 30% "totally tongue in cheek." IOW, don't take it literally. My real point was that for some people - like me - criticism is something we use as fuel, and is actually valued in a sense.<p>[1]: <a href="http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=4108061" rel="nofollow">http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=4108061</a><p>All of that said, I definitely appreciate this post on "how to get valid feedback." This is good stuff, and will definitely be filed away for use when the need arises.