TBC 141: Why Investors Tune Out Before You Get Started
Wed Dec 31 2025
A lot of founders jump straight to trying to sound impressive in a pitch. That usually backfires. In this episode of Back Channel, I break down the step most people skip, getting the investor to actually care before you show them anything clever.
I talk through why context matters more than complexity, how to think about an ideal investor who already “gets it,” and how to reverse-engineer what you need to explain so someone can lean in instead of getting lost. We cover opportunity size, credibility, unfair advantages, and why your real goal early in a raise is just to keep the page turning.
If you’ve ever felt like your pitch makes sense to you but not to the room, this one’s for you.
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A lot of founders jump straight to trying to sound impressive in a pitch. That usually backfires. In this episode of Back Channel, I break down the step most people skip, getting the investor to actually care before you show them anything clever. I talk through why context matters more than complexity, how to think about an ideal investor who already “gets it,” and how to reverse-engineer what you need to explain so someone can lean in instead of getting lost. We cover opportunity size, credibility, unfair advantages, and why your real goal early in a raise is just to keep the page turning. If you’ve ever felt like your pitch makes sense to you but not to the room, this one’s for you.