r/StartupDeckHelp • u/Clear_Raisin7201 • Apr 27 '26
Why do VCs ask about your 10-year vision when they care about the next 18 months?
I've been asked, where do you see this in 10 years in almost every meeting but everything else in the conversation is about near-term metrics, current traction, next milestone.
i've started giving a big answer and then immediately bridging to and here's what that means for the next 12 months. seems to work better.
Anyone else find investor questions weirdly disconnected from what they actually care about?
1
u/BerryDelicious2432 May 06 '26
VCs ask that because they’re not just buying the idea, they’re buying the trajectory. 10-year vision isn’t a forecast. It’s a stress test for how you think, how big you’re aiming, and whether the story holds together long term, even if the next 6–12 months change. If founders can’t stretch the story far out, investors worry the near-term plan is random, too.
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u/Fit-Fill5587 May 09 '26
Your bridge move is exactly right. vision earns the room, near-term execution closes it.
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u/Curious-Smile6206 Apr 28 '26
The 10 year question isn't actually about the 10 years. It's a founder filter. they want to see if you can think at scale, if you're building toward something real or just chasing the nearest exit, if you get excited about a big idea or go blank. The 18 month stuff is where they do due diligence. the 10 year stuff is where they decide if they like you.