THE FIRST EPISODE OF INVESTORS UNFILTERED!
What do venture capitalists really look for in founders, and how can CEOs build strong, lasting relationships with their investors? In this episode, Chip Hazard, Co-Founder and General Partner at Flybridge, offers an inside look at how VCs think about evaluating founders, funding opportunities, and long-term partnerships. He shares the traits that consistently stand out and explains how these factors matter as much as business metrics, especially in the early stages.
Chip also unpacks the evolution of fundraising, from vision-driven early rounds to later stages where metrics and revenue quality become critical. He reflects on the dynamics of board relationships, the importance of clear alignment on strategy, and why constructive feedback and ongoing communication are vital to scaling effectively.
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#NotAnotherCEO #BusinessSuccess #Flybridge
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
02:11 The Key Traits of Successful Founders
04:09 Assessing Founders Beyond the Pitch
06:04 Stages of Investment and What VCs Look For
15:36 Working with Founders Post-Investment
22:08 The Importance of External Perspectives
25:52 Challenges in Board Dynamics
30:37 Aligning with Venture Capitalists
37:55 Geographical Differences in Startups
40:13 Reflections and Regrets in Venture Capital
43:18 The Passion for Investing
45:47 Outro