01 Find who uses and who pays
Explain who has the problem and who can approve a paid test.
Founder pitch prep for what investors ask next
Check your AI draft against customer evidence, a working product and what the funding would test.
Start a practice interviewWhat investors and accelerators say they’re looking for
02 Say what traction counts
Give a count you can verify. Keep paid evaluations, unpaid pilots and letters distinct.
03 Show what the demo proves
Show one working flow. Explain which parts use AI, which use a person and which remain untested.
04 Compare the real alternative
“can somebody vibe code this thing within a couple of days or weeks?” (opens the source)
Compare with the buyer’s current process and the option they can use next. Keep your claim within what you tested.
05 Tie the ask to proof
“Everything we do at Loyal is tied to milestones” (opens the source)
Explain what the funding buys, what you will test and what a failed test would change.
Sources
- James McClure, Partner, Antler, at the time. Antler, “Here comes the next gen of Australian startups, Antler kicks off residency #15”, Feb 4, 2026. Open the source. Checked against the published text.
- Y Combinator, Official interview guide, at the time. Y Combinator, “YC Interview Guide”, Undated. Open the source. Checked against the published text.
- Shravan Reddy, Pear partner focused on PearX at publication, at the time. Pear VC, “Inside PearX: the interview process”, Sep 8, 2025. Open the source. Checked against the published text.
- Matthew Jaeh, Managing Director, Techstars Alabama EnergyTech Accelerator, at the time. Techstars, “How to Make Your Techstars Application Stand Out”, May 12, 2026. Open the source. Checked against the published text.
- Celine Halioua, Founder and CEO, Loyal, at the time. First Round Review, “Building a Deep Tech Company? Most Startup Advice Doesn’t Apply — Read This Instead”, Apr 3, 2025. Open the source. Checked against the published text.
Last reviewed Nov 11, 2026