Cliche Quote by Marc Andreessen
“It's an old - and true - cliche that VCs rarely actually say 'no' - more often they say 'maybe', or 'not right now', or 'my partners aren't sure', or 'that's interesting, let me think about it'”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Podcast, 2023
Venture capitalists rarely give a firm “no,” preferring vague or postponing responses.
In simple terms: VCs avoid saying no directly.
Key Takeaway
Seek clearer signals from investors.
Themes
business
decisionmaking
uncertainty
Mood
pragmatic
strategic
Type
business
advice
When to use this quote
- startup pitching
- fundraising meetings
- negotiations
Key Concepts
Risk assessment
investment strategy
Questions to Reflect On
- How can founders push for a definitive answer?
- What alternatives exist when VCs are non‑committal?
A Different Perspective
Vague answers can waste time.
