I've raised VC for my own startups and I was also a former VC, so I understand how they think. Recently, however, I've come across so much nonsense floating around from a certain few LinkedIn-influencer VCs.
I'm reading stuff like:
Most of these folks have NEVER run a company. They are living in a bubble and benefit from spewing this crap.
They are brainwashing Founders en masse and unfortunately making us all feel insecure. I've had 15+ conversations with other Founders recently who are profitable and growing 20-30% YoY and they all feel like failures.
There is a silent mental health crisis amongst Founders and this realization makes me really sad. Many of us are doing the hard work of turning struggling startups into successful exits, yet we're made to feel inadequate by metrics that don't reflect real business building.
VCs don't want you to be profitable. They want you to burn lots of money and fast. So you can raise more and give up more.
Their interests may not be aligned with your interests and what's best for you as a Founder. Understanding this dynamic is crucial, especially when you're working to become a better CEO and make decisions that serve your company's long-term health.
If you're profitable and growing 20-30% year over year, you're not a failure. You're building something real. The VC influencer crowd benefits from pushing unrealistic benchmarks that serve their model, not yours.
Don't let someone who has never run a company make you feel insecure about the business you're building. Your path doesn't have to look like their portfolio thesis.
Know your worth and build on your own terms.
