Research you would do at 1am, done nightly.
01
Fit, not flattery
Where your round matches the thesis, and where it does not. The second part saves weeks.
02
The right partner
Funds do not write checks, partners do. Operator names the one whose portfolio fits you.
03
Warm path
Who in your network can introduce you, ranked by how recent the relationship is.
One page before every call.
Read it in the taxi, not over three evenings of tab-hopping.