21 Ways to Build and Maintain Strong Founder-VC Relationships

any founders admit to having a love-hate relationship with VCs, describing the founder-investor dynamic as complex, difficult, and sometimes hostile. However, VCs shouldn’t be seen as adversaries.

Building and maintaining strong relationships between founders and VCs is crucial for the success of startups. A positive relationship fosters trust, facilitates collaboration, and ultimately drives the growth and success of both the startup and the investment.

Below we’ve outlined 21 things VCs can do to build and maintain strong relationships with founders.

1. Respect Their Autonomy and Decisions

Strengthen your relationship with founders by respecting their autonomy and decisions, even if you don’t always agree with them. Recognize that they are the ultimate decision-makers for their company and must balance multiple stakeholder interests and trade-offs.

Support them by providing relevant data, analysis, and perspectives to inform their choices, but avoid imposing your own agenda or preferences. By respecting their autonomy and decisions, you empower them, foster their confidence, and respect their ownership.

2. Align on Values and Expectations

The alignment of values and expectations is crucial for a healthy founder-investor relationship. Mismatched values—such as short-term vs. long-term thinking or straightforward vs. "behind the back" board politics—can lead to significant issues.

So, the first step in any founder-investor relationship is to align values and set clear expectations, communication practices, and working processes. The second step involves aligning the risks and opportunities from both perspectives.

VCs must constantly remember that the founder is the star of the show. Despite providing funding and having certain rights, investors should not impose their vision on the founders but support their leadership and vision.

3. Establish Clear Communication Channels

Open and clear communication is the cornerstone of any strong relationship. From the beginning, set expectations for how often and through which channels (emails, meetings, calls) communication will occur. Regular updates and check-ins help keep everyone on the same page and allow for timely intervention when issues arise.

Example: Andreessen Horowitz is known for its structured communication approach. They hold regular strategy meetings with their portfolio companies to ensure alignment and address any concerns promptly.

4. Build Trust and Transparency

Trust is essential in a founder-VC relationship. Both parties should be transparent about their expectations, capabilities, and challenges. Founders should feel comfortable sharing both good and bad news, and VCs should provide honest feedback and support.

Example: Sequoia Capital emphasizes trust and transparency by encouraging open dialogue and being upfront about their investment thesis and expectations from the start.

5. Start Early and Be Helpful

Building relationships with founders is most effective when you start early, before they are actively seeking funding.

This approach allows you to demonstrate your interest and expertise in their field, offer valuable feedback and advice, and provide introductions and resources that can aid their growth.

By being helpful and supportive from the beginning, you establish trust and credibility, positioning yourself as a potential partner rather than just a source of capital.

6. Be Authentic and Transparent

A key factor in building relationships with founders is authenticity and transparency. Avoid pretending to be someone you're not or making promises you can't keep. Be honest about your intentions, expectations, and capabilities, and communicate clearly and respectfully.

Don’t waste time on deals that don’t fit your strategy, criteria, or portfolio. Avoid playing games or using pressure tactics to get a term sheet signed. Be genuine and respectful, treating founders as partners rather than transactions.

7. Use Your Network for Help Founders

VCs bring extensive networks that can be instrumental in a startup’s growth. These networks can provide access to potential customers, partners, advisors, and new hires. Founders should actively engage with these networks to accelerate their growth.

Example: Google Ventures leverages its extensive network to connect portfolio companies with industry leaders, potential customers, and top talent, significantly boosting their growth prospects.

8. Understand Their Goals and Challenges

To build a strong relationship with founders, start by understanding their goals and challenges, both personally and professionally. Ask open-ended questions, listen actively, and empathize with their pain points.

Show genuine interest and curiosity to gain insights into their motivations, aspirations, and fears, and tailor your support accordingly. Help them set realistic and measurable milestones, and celebrate their achievements along the way.

9. Provide Feedback and Guidance

Strengthen your relationship with founders by offering feedback and guidance based on your experience, expertise, and network. Provide constructive criticism, honest opinions, and actionable suggestions without being overly prescriptive or intrusive.

Share relevant resources, introductions, and opportunities that can help them overcome obstacles, learn new skills, or access new markets. By providing feedback and guidance, you help them improve their performance, avoid pitfalls, and seize opportunities.

10. Provide Operational Support

Many VCs offer operational support to help startups optimize their processes. This can include assistance with hiring, marketing, sales strategies, and financial management. Operational support helps startups scale efficiently and avoid common pitfalls.

Taking an active role on the board can significantly impact the startup’s strategic direction. Active board members listen, offer constructive feedback, and help with strategic planning.

Example: Bessemer Venture Partners provides comprehensive operational support to its portfolio companies, including help with recruiting key talent and refining operational processes

11. Foster a Collaborative Environment

Encourage a collaborative environment where both parties feel like they are working towards common goals. This can be achieved through regular meetings, workshops, and joint problem-solving sessions.

Example: Accel Partners fosters a collaborative environment by organizing regular offsites and workshops for their portfolio companies to share knowledge and best practices.

12. Tackling Challenges and Resolving Conflicts

Conflicts are inevitable, but how they are handled can make or break the relationship. Address conflicts promptly, openly, and constructively. Focus on finding mutually beneficial solutions rather than assigning blame.

Honesty and integrity are fundamental. Both sides need to address issues openly and avoid sugarcoating. Difficult conversations are unavoidable, but they are crucial for maintaining a healthy relationship and focusing on creating value and winning the market.

Example: Lightspeed Venture Partners is known for its constructive approach to conflict resolution, helping to mediate and resolve issues in a way that strengthens the overall relationship.

13. Communicate Regularly and Transparently

Enhance your relationship with founders by maintaining regular and transparent communication, both formally and informally. Don’t disappear after the first meeting or once the deal is closed. Establish a clear and consistent communication cadence using various channels and formats, such as email, phone, video, or in-person meetings.

Keep the conversation going, showing interest and engagement in their progress and updates. Provide feedback, advice, and encouragement, and celebrate their wins and milestones. Reach out regularly, offering help and support as needed. Be responsive and accessible, ensuring founders feel valued and appreciated.

Use these touchpoints to update them on your activities, expectations, and concerns, and solicit their feedback and input. By communicating regularly and transparently, you build trust, rapport, and alignment, preventing misunderstandings or conflicts.

14. Show Appreciation and Recognition

You can strengthen your relationship with founders by showing appreciation and recognition, both publicly and privately. Express gratitude, praise, and encouragement for their efforts, achievements, and contributions, acknowledging their challenges and sacrifices.

Show appreciation and recognition through personalized notes, gifts, or tokens, or by featuring them in your newsletters, blogs, or social media. By showing appreciation and recognition, you boost their morale, loyalty, and satisfaction.

Celebrating milestones and successes together reinforces the partnership and builds morale. Recognize and appreciate the hard work and achievements of the founders and their teams.

Example: Index Ventures regularly celebrates significant milestones with their portfolio companies, from product launches to major funding rounds, fostering a sense of shared accomplishment.

15. Support During Tough Times

Be there for the founders during tough times. Offer support, guidance, and resources to help them navigate challenges. This can build immense loyalty and trust, solidifying the long-term relationship.

Example: Battery Ventures has a reputation for standing by their portfolio companies during challenging periods, providing the necessary support to help them weather storms and come out stronger.

16. Get Referrals and Recommendations

One of the most effective ways to build relationships with founders in a competitive market is through referrals and recommendations from other founders, investors, or mentors who know and trust you.

Referrals and recommendations can help you access high-quality deal flow, bypass cold outreach, and create a positive first impression.

They also validate your reputation, track record, and value proposition, increasing your credibility and trustworthiness. To get referrals and recommendations, build and maintain a strong network of contacts and consistently deliver on your promises and expectations.

17. Learn and Improve

Building relationships with founders in a competitive market offers an opportunity for continuous learning and improvement. Learn from the founders you meet, their feedback, and their experiences to enhance your skills, approach, and strategy.

Reflect on your successes and failures, analyzing what worked and what didn’t, and how you can improve next time. By continuously learning and improving, you can enhance your performance, reputation, and relationships, becoming a better VC and partner for founders.

18. Founder-Investor Dynamics

One of the most valuable roles a VC can play is providing answers to the many unknowns founders face, helping to ground them and guide decision-making.

Investors should be wary of becoming fair-weather supporters, clapping when things go well and criticizing when they don’t. Active involvement and support are crucial, especially during tough times.

19. Add Value and Differentiate Yourself

In a competitive market, standing out and building relationships with founders requires adding value and differentiating yourself from other VCs.

Don’t just rely on your reputation, track record, or network. Show how you can add value to their specific business, vision, and goals, and help them overcome challenges and achieve milestones.

Demonstrate your unique insights, expertise, and resources that can benefit them, and how you can support them beyond just writing a check. Prove that you are the best partner for them, not just another investor.

20. Offer Marketing and PR Support

Provide marketing and PR support to help startups build their brand and increase visibility. This can include media training, PR strategies, and access to marketing experts.

Example: Andreessen Horowitz has a dedicated marketing team that works with portfolio companies to develop PR strategies, media outreach, and brand-building initiatives.

21. Offer Financial Modeling and Planning

Help founders develop robust financial models and plans. This can include budgeting, forecasting, and scenario planning to ensure financial health and sustainability.

Example: Sequoia Capital is known for its rigorous financial modeling support, helping portfolio companies build detailed financial plans that guide their growth strategies.

Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

VC-startup relationships can face several potential pitfalls that may strain the partnership. These issues often include:

Overbearing VCs

Sometimes, VCs may try to exert too much control over the startup, leading to conflict. While VCs have a stake and a say in the business, they need to respect the founders' roles as company operators.

Misaligned Expectations

This is one of the most common pitfalls. Startups may expect more hands-on help from their VC partners than the VCs are willing or able to provide.

Poor Communication

Open and transparent communication is essential. If either party feels left in the dark or is surprised by decisions or changes, it can create tension and trust issues.

Lack of Flexibility

Both parties need to be adaptable. A rigid approach from either side can stifle innovation and prevent effective problem-solving. Flexibility helps in navigating the evolving challenges of a startup.

Lack of Transparency

Transparency regarding finances, company status, and plans is crucial. A lack of clarity can breed mistrust, lead to unwelcome surprises, and significantly damage the relationship.

Poor Cultural Fit

For a successful relationship, the VC and the startup need to have compatible cultures. If the VC's approach is fundamentally at odds with the startup's culture, it can lead to misunderstandings and disagreements.

Unclear Roles and Responsibilities

Confusion about who is responsible for what can lead to inefficiency and conflict. Clearly defining roles and responsibilities helps ensure that everyone knows their part and can work together effectively.

Short-Term Focus

While immediate results are important, an overemphasis on short-term gains can undermine long-term success. Both parties should balance short-term achievements with the company’s long-term vision and goals.

Ignoring Red Flags

Both founders and VCs need to be vigilant about potential warning signs in their relationship or business operations. Ignoring these can lead to bigger problems down the line.

Misalignment on Exit Strategy

Disagreements about the timing and nature of the exit strategy can create significant conflict. Both parties should align on their vision for the future and the preferred path to achieving it.

Inconsistent Follow-Through

Promises made during the investment process need to be kept. Inconsistent follow-through from either party can damage trust and hinder progress.

There’s many complexities when it comes to founder-investor relationships, but with the right communication and transparency from both sides, it could be a match made in heaven!