Introduction

Venture Capital (VC) is an exciting, fast-paced world where pattern recognition, risk-taking, and intuition collide. If you’re interviewing for a VC role, you're likely asking: "What questions should I expect?" Unlike banking or PE, VC interviews are less about modelling and more about how you think.

In a VC interview, expect to be tested on your curiosity and conviction.

Some common questions include:

• "What’s a startup you admire, and why?"
• "If we gave you £50M, what kind of company would you back?"
• "How would you assess a founding team?"
• "What are the trends in [X] sector?"

Interviewers want to know if you can think like an early-stage investor: spotting trends, analysing markets, evaluating product-market fit, and most importantly, backing founders.

It's not about having the "right" answer. It’s about having a view – and defending it. VC firms value conviction and insight. If you say you’d back a logistics startup, explain why, what their moat is, and how they scale. If you critique a company, offer an alternative path.

Also expect questions about your background:

• Have you built anything?
• What networks do you bring?
• Can you hustle for deals and referrals?

Summary
VC interviews are a test of mindset, not just experience. The best candidates combine intellectual curiosity with clear, opinionated thinking. At Circle Square, we understand what different VC firms look for, and we coach our candidates to speak the language of early-stage investing. Whether you’re moving from consulting, product, or banking, we help position you to break into this exciting space.