Lia Cromwell (UpWest): What VCs Really Think After Your Pitch

Lia Cromwell, Partner at UpWest, joins us for a candid conversation about venture capital, founder psychology, and the signals most entrepreneurs misread during fundraising.

We discuss:

– What VCs really think after your pitch
– How to know if a meeting actually went well
– Israeli vs American business culture
– Why conviction can’t be built in one meeting
– Founder red flags investors notice immediately
– The importance of equity splits and co-founder chemistry
– Gut instinct vs data in venture capital

Lia also shares the personal story behind turning down a job, moving to Tel Aviv in 30 days, and building her career in early-stage investing.

This episode blends tactical advice with personal conviction for founders who want to build the right way.