In this episode of Like, Is This Legit?, Sophie and Kris dive into the world of venture capital (VC).

After last week’s startup exploration, it’s time to uncover what VC funding is all about and whether it’s truly a blessing or a double-edged sword for startups.

Here’s what we cover:

• Like... what do VCs actually do?: Are they just moving money, or is there more to their strategy of high-stakes investments?
• Bootstrapping vs. VC funding: Real answers from founders and VCs at Slush about the pros, cons, and why even VCs recommend bootstrapping.
• The dark side of VC funding: Growth at all costs, misaligned priorities, and stressful scaling. 🥲
• VC scams and cautionary tales: From fake investors and identity theft to data mining and advanced fee fraud, we explore the shadier side of the investment world.

Plus, we dish out some jaw-dropping stories of VC fails, including SoftBank’s billion-dollar gamble on “smart windows” and the luxury lifestyle fraudster behind Rothenberg Ventures.

Make sure to subscribe, rate, and share this episode if you enjoyed our deep dive into the world of venture capital!

Want to send us a message or an episode request? Get in touch: https://isthislegitpod.com/

Connect with your hosts:

Sophie Michaud

Kristina Knut