SV Angel

David Lee explains how SV Angel evaluates founders, emphasizing the team over the idea and the ability to communicate a clear vision. He describes why founders need to listen carefully, synthesize feedback, and adapt while staying persistent, using Rick Morrison’s fundraising and product changes as an example. For founders choosing investors, Lee recommends weighing the help they can provide alongside their money, rather than focusing only on valuation or dilution. He closes with the lesson he learned from Ron Conway: a founder’s reputation is their biggest asset, built through focus and leading by example.

Ron Conway describes how he evaluates founders and supports companies through early growth and fundraising. He explains that SV Angel invests in people first, then looks for product focus, persistence, decisiveness, and the ability to build a team. Examples from Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Snapchat, Airbnb, and Square show how user growth, iteration, and founder development shape a company’s prospects. He also shares practical fundraising advice: prioritize investors who add value, keep the process moving, and confirm agreements in writing.