Raising money feels like the finish line. It isn’t. The investor you bring on becomes a business partner for years, so it pays to check them out just as hard as they’re checking you out.

Here are 6 questions worth asking before you take anyone’s money.

1. What do you actually bring besides the check?
Some investors open doors, make intros, and help with hiring. Others just wire funds and disappear. Ask what they’ll actually do for you post-investment, and ask for examples.

2. Can I talk to two founders you’ve backed — including one that struggled?
Anyone can give you a reference who’ll say nice things. Ask specifically for a founder whose company hit a rough patch. How the investor behaved when things went wrong tells you more than any success story.

3. What’s your typical check size and follow-on behavior?
Find out if they usually lead or follow, whether they reserve money for future rounds, and what happens if you need a bridge. You want to know now, not when you’re out of cash.

4. How involved do you expect to be?
Some investors want a board seat and monthly updates. Others check in twice a year. Neither is wrong, but mismatched expectations cause friction later. Get clear on what they expect from you.

5. What happens if we disagree on strategy?
Ask directly. A good investor has a real answer. A vague one is a warning sign.

6. What’s the support we’d be expecting beyond capital?
Get specific: intros, hiring help, operational guidance, access to their network. Vague promises of “value add” rarely turn into anything. If they can’t name concrete ways they’ll help, assume they won’t.

A good investor makes your company stronger. A bad one costs you time, energy, and sometimes the company itself. Ask the questions before you sign, not after.

Our team at Bexit works with founders to get these answers, and the rest of the story, in shape before the next investor meeting is even on the calendar. Reach out at www.bexit.co or on WhatsApp at +965 66774530.