A viral LinkedIn post from Roy Korner, a Bay Area angel investor, cut through the hype: “Nobody cares that you’re using AI… AI is not a moat. It’s not a business model.”
Korner’s message landed like a drop in a noisy startup ecosystem. Cloth-capped creators on Reddit called it “old truth wrapped in clarity.”
What He Actually Said
- Using AI in your pitch is table stakes, not a differentiator.
- The real value lies in understanding the customer problem deeply and relentlessly obsessing over execution.
- In Korner’s words: *“Real traction beats a flashy demo every single time.”*
Why It Resonates in India
Angel investment sentiment in India has turned cautious. Angels are no longer swept by buzz—they evaluate based on sound business models and traction.
Reddit founders corroborate: VCs care about last‑quarter revenue and next‑quarter targets, not vision that unfolds over years. Many called Indian VCs “traders, not long‑term backers.”
Accel also warned that Indian AI founders need focus and urgency—otherwise they risk playing catch-up with global peers.
Real Advice for Founders
- Focus on outcome-first, not “AI-first.” AI should serve the problem—not define your story.
- Don’t chase investors with buzzwords. Instead, show consistent monthly or quarterly traction.
- Aim for a sharp niche problem + high-value user. That clarity beats mass-market fluff.
Final Insight
In 2025, AI hype isn’t capital. It’s a magnifier. The questions investors care about now are clearer:
Does your product solve an urgent problem? Do customers need it daily? Can you measure improvement?
Use AI only if it strengthens your execution. Because at the end of the day, only use-cases pay—not APIs.
For more blunt truths, founder-first playbooks, and startup reality checks from the ground up, head to StartupStoryIndia.
