My Post-Meeting Prompt (I Use It After Every Founder Call)

Most of what matters in meetings is never said out loud.

You can have all the data, charts, and numbers — but the real insight often hides between the lines.
- The way someone pauses before answering.
- The topic they avoid.
- The confidence (or hesitation) in their tone.

I’ve learned to read these moments slowly — like Sheldon from The Big Bang Theory decoding human behavior one clue at a time.

After every founder meeting, I take a few minutes to ask myself:
“What was not said — but still mattered?”

That’s where the real decisions come from.

Here is the prompt I use after each startup meeting.

Additional Insights from Transcripts

Check for important points in the interview transcripts that may be relevant for the investment decision, even if these were not specifically asked in the meeting or provided question document.

Interpret hidden meanings or understand insights not explicitly stated (”read between the lines”) to uncover potentially impactful subtext.

At the end of the investment memo, add a final sub-section titled 

“The Subtext: What’s Not Said” 

Include any inferred insights or observations that could influence the investment decision but were not directly addressed in other sections.