When did you last look at your website through an investor's eyes? 👀
Not as the founder who knows every detail. Not as the designer who created each pixel. But as a skeptical VC with 50 other pitches to review today.
This month, we’re reverse-engineering what investors are really looking for when they visit startup websites. What we found might surprise you.
Keep reading for 6 quick wins for your startup website to get VCs listening.
TLDR:
VCs scan. They don't read. Front-load everything that matters in 30 seconds.
The 6 things VCs scan for in under 30 seconds
Based on our research, here's exactly what investors look for, in order ⬇️
(keep reading for a quick checklist you can apply to make your site VC-ready!)
1. What you actually do
VCs see hundreds of pitches monthly. If they can't understand your product in 5 seconds, you've lost them.
❌
"The future of work, reimagined"
✅
"Real-time translation for video calls"
Make it so they don’t have to scroll to understand what you do.
2. The problem you solve (and why it matters)
Investors need to instantly grasp:
- What specific pain point you address
- Why existing solutions fall short
- How big this problem really is
3. Traction signals
VCs scan for validation markers:
- Customer logos (especially recognizable ones)
- Key metrics (users, revenue, growth rate)
- Press mentions or industry recognition
- Founder credentials
💡 Don't inflate numbers. One authentic metric beats five vanity metrics. "10,000 active users" > "1M+ data points processed"
4. Team credibility (why you, why now)
Investors bet on people, not just products. They're looking for:
- Relevant expertise or experience
- Previous startup success (or meaningful failure)
- Domain knowledge
- Technical capability
Skip the generic bios and focus on why you're uniquely positioned to solve this specific problem.
5. Clear next steps
What investors need to find instantly:
✓ How to contact you (header, footer, everywhere)
✓ Your deep understanding of the market
✓ Who exactly you're building for
✓ Why you're the team to solve this specific problem
Hidden contact info frustrates investors. Make reaching out effortless.
Bonus points if you’re able to show how well you know your niche, your market & your audience!
6. Market size (is this worth their time?)
Investors need to see a path to 10x returns. Show them:
- TAM, SAM, and SOM clearly defined
- Bottom-up market calculations
- Expansion opportunities
VC-ready website checklist ⬇️
☐ Value proposition – Can a 10-year-old understand what you do?
☐ Above-the-fold clarity – No scrolling needed to grasp your USP
☐ Mobile responsive
☐ Load time under 3 seconds
☐ Contact info visible
☐ Real metrics displayed – Users, revenue, or growth (avoid vanity numbers)
☐ Customer logos – Even 3-5 recognizable ones make a difference
☐ Team section – Focus on relevant experience
☐ Press mentions – Links to actual coverage
☐ Case studies or testimonials – Specific results > generic praise
☐ Funding stage clearly stated.
☐ Use of funds mentioned
☐ Market size defined
☐ Growth trajectory
☐ SSL certificate – That padlock matters
☐ No broken links –Test every page
☐ Error-free copy – Zero typos or grammar issues
☐ Analytics installed – Track those investor visits
☐ Consistent branding
☐ Clear navigation – Max 6 items in main menu
☐ Readable fonts
☐ Sufficient white space – Don't cram everything in
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