Why a Senior VC Passed on a Deal: Too Much for a Startup to Take On

Originally published 2022-02-14Relayed by Robin (comments from a senior VC nine years earlier; deal and individual unnamed)

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Collected in Robin Shen’s Field Notes · Content type and attribution are shown above

English translation of the Chinese post originally published 2022-02-14. Translated 2026-10-30 with AI assistance. Historical figures and claims have not been updated or independently verified. 中文原文

Reading guide

Robin shares comments, originally in English, from a senior VC who passed on a deal nine years earlier. The project was too large, and implementing the solution would require more work than a startup could afford. Even after completion, marketing would be another barrier. The comments end by noting that this is a personal view offered for reference. The post does not identify the deal or the senior VC.

Key points

First reason for passing: the project was too large for a startup to afford.
Second reason: marketing would remain a barrier even after implementation.
This is a personal view; the deal and the senior VC are not identified.

One clear path continues into the distance among several branching routes, suggesting choice and focus. — Entrepreneurship & strategyThematic illustration · AI generated

Full text — English translation

Comments from a senior VC who passed on a deal nine years earlier~ I will pass this deal - the project scale is too big - the implementation of this solution will require a lot of works which a startup won't be able to afford. After it is done, marketing is another barrier. My personal view for your reference.

These articles are personal notes, book excerpts, and collected reprints. Figures and events reflect the time of the original publication, are not current information, and do not constitute investment advice.

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