"The first investor meeting starts before the meeting."
Reputation, warm intros and the first five minutes shape conviction before the deck does. Most founders prepare the deck and ignore the half hour of social signal that arrives ahead of them.
GZGloria ZhangPartner · DCM VenturesFrom the event
Stanford Founders Demo Day · May 7, 2026 · Hosted by Sophie Ren
Counterpoint in the room
"Cold inbounds still convert — if the wedge is sharp enough."
— Nick Landolfi
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