The team is the number one predictor of startup success at the early stage. But how do you actually verify that the people behind the pitch are who they say they are?
LinkedIn is a starting point, not the answer
LinkedIn profiles are self-reported. Titles can be inflated, durations stretched, and roles misrepresented. Use LinkedIn to build a timeline, then verify the details independently.
Look for:
- Gaps longer than 6 months without explanation
- Short stints at multiple companies (pattern of not staying)
- Title inflation (VP at a 3-person company)
- Claims of founding or co-founding companies you can't find
Verify employment history
For key claims - "I was CTO at Company X" or "I led the team that built Y" - verify with:
- Mutual connections who worked there at the same time
- Press coverage or blog posts mentioning the person
- Company LinkedIn pages showing them as an employee
- GitHub contributions if they claim engineering roles
You don't need to verify every job. Focus on the claims that matter most for the startup they're building now.
Check for legal and financial red flags
Public records can reveal:
- Previous company bankruptcies or dissolutions
- Court judgments or litigation history
- Disqualified director status (in the UK, check Companies House)
- Previous startups that raised money and disappeared
This isn't about finding perfect people. It's about knowing the full picture before you invest.
Social media tells a story
Twitter, LinkedIn posts, and public talks reveal how the founder thinks, communicates, and handles pressure. Look for:
- Consistency between what they say publicly and what they told you in the pitch
- How they respond to criticism or hard questions
- Their network and who engages with their content
- Whether they share genuine insights or just promotional content
Talk to former colleagues
The single best source of information about a founder is someone who's worked with them before. Ask:
- "What's it like working with this person day to day?"
- "What are their biggest strengths and weaknesses?"
- "Would you work with them again?"
The last question is the most revealing. A hesitation tells you more than a detailed answer.
Red flags to watch for
- The founder avoids giving specific references
- Stories change between conversations
- Claims that can't be independently verified
- A pattern of blaming others for past failures
- Unwillingness to discuss previous ventures honestly
The best founders are transparent about their history, including the parts that didn't go well. That honesty is itself a positive signal.
