Don’t Ditch the Pitch Deck

Zach Noorani, Partner at Foundation Capital, shares hard-earned insights from more than a decade in venture capital. He talks about why the most important question investors wrestle with is differentiation, why authentic conversations with founders matter more than polished pitches, and how the best founders demonstrate velocity of learning. Zach also reflects on the evolving nature of venture—how the industry has become more professionalized, what excites him about the new wave of innovation, and why empathy and due process matter in society as much as in business. In this episode, you’ll learn: [01:40] From Salem to Stanford to Silicon Valley: Zach’s journey into venture capital [03:38] Why venture is a “blank canvas” and not a zero-sum game [05:46] Foundation Capital’s early-stage focus and Zach’s typical check size [06:58] “There’s no time too early”: When founders should reach out—and what Zach looks for [09:43] What really happens in the first meeting (and why it’s about participation, not just Q&A) [12:54] Should founders ditch the pitch deck? Zach’s advice might surprise you [16:40] The Push Cash story: How one founder showed true differentiation from day one [19:34] Why Zach says no—even after initial interest—and what makes a $10B story possible [22:42] How venture has professionalized—and why AI brings back the excitement About Zach Noorani Zach Noorani is a Partner at Foundation Capital, where he invests in early-stage fintech and enterprise startups. With over 14 years of experience in venture capital, Zach has a background that spans corporate VC at Capital One and a passion for supporting founders who demonstrate velocity of learning and unique insight. Based in Los Angeles, Zach focuses on inception-to-Series A companies and has led investments in several innovative fintech ventures. About Foundation Capital Foundation Capital is a Silicon Valley-based venture capital firm with over 30 years of experience backing early-stage companies. The firm partners with founders from inception through Series A, providing hands-on support to help build transformative businesses. Foundation Capital’s portfolio includes category-defining companies across fintech, enterprise, and emerging technologies. Subscribe to our podcast and stay tuned for our next episode.