Being around the VC funding ecosystem, I can confidently say you’re not cynical. Some of the most frivolous startups got their funding in the zero interest rate

Being around the VC funding ecosystem, I can confidently say you’re not cynical. Some of the most frivolous startups got their funding in the zero interest rate era because no one was doing their due diligence. Sky high unicorn valuations allowed VCs to basically just fund everything. You didn’t have to have much beyond a pitch with made up projections and execution plan to get money, especially if you knew someone in the VC circles. But now that most of those bubbles have burst, VCs are back doing what they were always supposed to do: due diligence. You’d be hard pressed to find funding unless you have a name or have a business that’s already doing great. And on the flip side, startups themselves are noticing this. My buddy’s startup has been approached by a bunch of different VCs encouraging him to pitch for funding and he’s refused. He’s realized that he’s already making money and has a solid business execution. He’s not willing to give up the gains for some extra cash. He’s taking the slow growth route.