2025 Mentor Captains: Miranda Torres

🙌 Highlighting our amazing #VM25 Mentor Captains! 🙌 Here’s some words of wisdom from Miranda Torres…

❓How do you tell a founder that their pitch isn’t ready yet?

🎤​I have tremendous respect for founders. It takes rare courage to put yourself out there and chase a dream that many will never be bold enough to pursue. With that in mind, I always remind founders that feedback is subjective, and they are free to take it or leave it. The best founders lean in. They understand that our goal is not to tear them down but to give them the best possible chance to succeed. Venture Madness is not the time to rush. A poor pitch can leave a lasting impression and close doors to future opportunities.

When delivering feedback, the key is to lead with kindness, honesty, and authenticity. The strongest founders embrace constructive criticism, do the hard work, and return even stronger. Those are the ones who build companies that endure.

❓ Based on what you’ve seen, what qualities make startups stand out to investors early on?

🎤 Startups that capture early investor attention are defined by two traits: relentless tenacity and a hunger for knowledge. The best founders attack problems head-on and refuse to back down simply because something is hard. When they hit an immovable barrier, they pivot without losing momentum. They also listen, not just to respond but to learn, and have the wisdom to separate valuable feedback from noise. Confidence, resilience, and coachability are what turn a good idea into a fundable company.

Say thank you to Miranda for being an amazing Mentor Captain this year!! 🙂