Startup funding criteria when exits are harder to forecast
In periods when acquisitions slow and public markets remain volatile, the traditional startup narrative of rapid growth followed by a clear exit becomes less reliable. Investors adapt their criteria, and founders must respond accordingly. A “fundable” startup today is less about projecting a near-term liquidity event and more about demonstrating resilience, capital efficiency, and durable value creation under uncertain exit conditions.Capital Efficiency as a Fundamental IndicatorWhen exits become harder to foresee, investors place greater emphasis on how well a startup turns capital into measurable traction, reflecting a wider market reality in which venture capital funds might retain holdings for longer…
