Angels vs. VCs vs. the Friend Zone: Who Should Fund You?
Mon Feb 02 2026
You've got the hustle, the product, and maybe even a pitch deck—but if you're talking to the wrong type of investor, you're setting yourself up for silence and wasted time. In this quick episode of Seed Money, I'll help you understand exactly how friends and family, angel investors, and VCs think—and why each one needs a different pitch. I've made these mistakes myself, pitching VCs way too early with nothing but a dream, and I want to save you from the same frustration.
In this episode, you'll learn:
Why pitching VCs too early is usually a dead end
How to tailor your message to friends and family vs. angel investors vs. VCs
What each group actually looks for before writing a check
The #1 red flag that turns off early-stage investors
How I burned time in the wrong rooms and what I'd do differently
How to reduce ghosting by pitching the right people at the right time
About Your Host
Jayla Siciliano, Shark Tank entrepreneur turned real estate investor, excels in building brands, teams, and products. CEO of a bi-coastal hospitality company, she also hosts the Seed Money Podcast, where she's on a mission to help early-stage entrepreneurs turn their ideas into reality!
Connect:
Website: https://seedmoneypodcast.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaylasiciliano/
Subscribe and watch on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@seedmoneypodcast/
Subscribe, Rate, & Review
Please rate, follow, and review the podcast on https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/seed-money/id1740815877 and https://open.spotify.com/show/0VkQECosb1spTFsUhu6uFY?si=5417351fb73a4ea1/! Hearing your comments and questions helps me come up with the best topics for the show!
Disclaimer
The information in this podcast is educational and general in nature and does not take into consideration the listener's personal circumstances. Therefore, it is not intended to be a substitute for specific, individualized financial, legal, or tax advice.
More
You've got the hustle, the product, and maybe even a pitch deck—but if you're talking to the wrong type of investor, you're setting yourself up for silence and wasted time. In this quick episode of Seed Money, I'll help you understand exactly how friends and family, angel investors, and VCs think—and why each one needs a different pitch. I've made these mistakes myself, pitching VCs way too early with nothing but a dream, and I want to save you from the same frustration. In this episode, you'll learn: Why pitching VCs too early is usually a dead end How to tailor your message to friends and family vs. angel investors vs. VCs What each group actually looks for before writing a check The #1 red flag that turns off early-stage investors How I burned time in the wrong rooms and what I'd do differently How to reduce ghosting by pitching the right people at the right time About Your Host Jayla Siciliano, Shark Tank entrepreneur turned real estate investor, excels in building brands, teams, and products. CEO of a bi-coastal hospitality company, she also hosts the Seed Money Podcast, where she's on a mission to help early-stage entrepreneurs turn their ideas into reality! Connect: Website: https://seedmoneypodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaylasiciliano/ Subscribe and watch on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@seedmoneypodcast/ Subscribe, Rate, & Review Please rate, follow, and review the podcast on https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/seed-money/id1740815877 and https://open.spotify.com/show/0VkQECosb1spTFsUhu6uFY?si=5417351fb73a4ea1/! Hearing your comments and questions helps me come up with the best topics for the show! Disclaimer The information in this podcast is educational and general in nature and does not take into consideration the listener's personal circumstances. Therefore, it is not intended to be a substitute for specific, individualized financial, legal, or tax advice.