Deal Makers (& Fakers) Podcast · 2026-05-29 · 31 min
In this episode of Deal Makers, Niclas Schlopsna sits down with Vlad Sarca, General Partner at Sparking Capital, to unlock the raw, behind-the-scenes mechanics of early-stage venture capital. What actually goes through a venture capitalist's mind when they review your pitch deck? Vlad breaks down the exact framework he uses to evaluate founders, moving past the superficial "AI" buzzwords that often ruin otherwise strong pitches. For founders navigating capital advisory and venture capital, understanding these dynamics is crucial for improving your startup’s quality of life and survival rate in a competitive market. We also dive deep into the Eastern European tech ecosystem, deconstructing the secret price arbitrage giving regional startups a massive edge and how the "EU-Inc" initiative could stop founders from fleeing to Delaware. This perspective is essential for driving regional economic development and building a sustainable legacy in global tech. What You’ll Learn in This Video Podcast? - The 10% Pass Rate : Why the vast majority of pitch decks are immediately rejected during the initial screening process.
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