Introduction

Venture capital interviews go beyond financial acumen—they test your judgment, curiosity, and ability to think like an investor. Whether you’re applying to a seed-stage fund or a multibillion-dollar growth investor, here are five questions that come up again and again—and how to approach them.

1. “What’s a startup you’d invest in and why?”
Pick a real company—not a cliché—and walk through your investment thesis. What problem does it solve? How big is the TAM? Who are the competitors? Bonus points if you’ve spoken with customers or founders.

2. “What makes a great founder?”
You’re not just backing ideas—you’re backing people. VCs look for resilience, storytelling, and domain expertise. Share examples of traits you admire, and ideally, reference founders you've met or studied.

3. “How would you source deals?”
VCs want hungry, well-networked associates. Talk about how you’d tap into founder communities, leverage data, or build your own thesis-driven sourcing pipeline. Show that you’re proactive—not just reactive.

4. “What are the risks in your investment pick?”
This is a test of self-awareness. All startups carry risk—product, team, market timing. A strong candidate doesn’t ignore red flags; they flag them early and explain how they’d mitigate them.

5. “Explain a recent VC deal you found interesting”
Pick one that suits the stage and sector of the fund. Explain the valuation, the round structure, and why the investor led it. Be ready to critique the deal too—politely and thoughtfully.

Conclusion
VC interviews are about pattern recognition and conviction. At Circle Square, we help candidates sharpen their thinking, build credibility, and tell stories that resonate with investors.