Shaan Puri vs Traditional VCs: Decision Speed, Check Size, and Founder Expectations

Compare Shaan Puri vs traditional VCs on decision speed, check size, value add, and more. Discover which investor model is best for your startup.

Oct 13, 2025

Shaan Puri vs Traditional VCs: Decision Speed, Check Size, and Founder Expectations

Is it better to raise capital from Shaan Puri or to go with a traditional VC? In this guide, I’ll break down the real differences you need to know, using first-hand experience and real-world examples. The keyword "Shaan Puri vs VC" is central, because more founders are comparing fast-moving angels and rolling funds like Shaan Puri’s with the sometimes slower, institutional VC process. Let’s answer your questions about decision timeline, check size, value add, and what founders should expect.

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Why This Comparison Matters

Founders need capital quickly, but not all money is created equal. The debate of Shaan Puri vs VC is really about who moves faster, writes a competitive check, and supports you beyond the wire. I hear daily from early-stage founders deciding between a "name" fund vs. a high-profile angel or a rolling fund like Shaan’s. The decision shapes not just your bank account, but how your journey will go in the crucial first 12-24 months.

Who Is Shaan Puri?

Shaan Puri is best known to founders for his sharp startup instincts, his clear takes on The My First Million podcast, and his bold investments. He runs a rolling fund that backs dozens of startups each year—leaning on judgment, speed, and his operator's view. Shaan’s style is direct: he wants to make a decision quickly, write a meaningful check, and be available for clarity, introductions, and help—without getting in your way. If you want deep insights into how he thinks, check out his commentary on venture and angel investing in conversations with emerging founders.

What Is Capitaly.vc & How Does It Relate?

Capitaly.vc is a cutting-edge online venture platform that’s changing how investors and founders connect. Many angels, including Shaan, operate rolling funds through platforms like this to speed up due diligence and closing. If you want to learn how new-age funds operate or how Capitaly’s process works, you may want to read their insights on how rolling funds work.

Traditional VCs Explained

Traditional venture capitalists (VCs) usually operate via fixed-lifetime funds, big committees, and more layers of risk checks. They focus on larger outcomes, market size, and scalability above all. This makes their process slower—and their approach, in many cases, less personal. That said, "big VCs" can access huge resources, top-tier networks, and later-stage capital.

Angel Investor vs VC: Key Differences

Decision Speed – Angels nearly always move faster.
Check Size – VCs often invest larger sums, but at greater dilution cost.
Process – Angels run solo, VCs usually require consensus.
Expectations – Angels are often more hands-off; VCs want a say in direction.

This table sums it up:

PointShaan Puri (Angel/Rolling Fund)Traditional VCTypical Decision Time1 day to 1 week2 to 8 weeks+Follow-on SupportSelective, informalUsually strong at later roundsValue AddOperator knowledge, speedNetwork leverage, big checks

Decision Timelines: Shaan Puri vs VC

The biggest frustration I hear: "We can’t wait another month for a maybe!" Shaan Puri prides himself on making lightning-fast investment calls (sometimes within hours). Traditional VCs typically do pre-reads, then team partner meetings, then more diligence—weeks or even months. If you need speed, the Shaan Puri vs VC debate often ends here.

Shaan Puri: If the fit is right, expect a yes/no within 48 hours.
Traditional VC: Series of meetings, committee sign-off, and heavy reference checks.

Real-world example: More than a few founders have been funded by Shaan before their next coffee with a VC got scheduled.

Average Check Size: Shaan Puri vs VC

This is where tradeoffs show up. Shaan’s checks typically range from $25K to $250K—solid for an angel, sometimes up to $1M if conviction is high. VCs (especially seed/Series A firms) write $250K to $2 million, and beyond, but usually want a bigger ownership stake.

Shaan Puri Check: $25K - $250K
VC Fund Check: $250K - $2M+

With a rolling fund like Shaan’s, you might get speed and a slightly smaller check, but the "cost" is less process and less dilution.

Founder Expectations and Experiences

Founders who go with Shaan Puri or similar rolling fund angels typically expect:

Quick feedback and real talk (even if it’s a "no")
No 30-slide deck polishing required
Warm intros if there’s an immediate fit

Conversely, a VC process may include multiple pitches, customer references, and more formal due diligence. Many founders see Shaan’s approach as refreshing and a morale boost early in the journey. For more on how to shape founder expectations in modern fundraising, see Founder-Investor Fit: Why It’s Critical.

Understanding "Value Add"

Candidly, not every investor delivers “value.” Shaan Puri is hands-on with strategic advice, network connections, and no-fluff feedback. He’ll seldom attend board meetings, but he’s strong on:

Unlocking networks quickly
Increasing your company’s social reach instantly
Operator-to-operator advice (“This worked. This didn’t.”)

Traditional VCs are better at organizing big follow-on rounds or major press coverage. But if you need lean support and operator-specific guidance, Shaan’s value can be uniquely powerful at the earliest stages.

The Rolling Fund Model vs. Traditional VC Fund

Shaan Puri and similar investors use a “rolling fund” that can accept new limited partners (LPs) quarterly, enabling ongoing capital deployment. Old-school VCs raise capital every 3-5 years, typically locking up capital for up to a decade. The result? Rolling funds can be more agile, writing checks as good deals appear—and minimizing bureaucratic friction. For more on the mechanics behind this, check Rolling Funds Explained.

Process Clarity and Transparency

Traditional VCs are notorious for “ghosting” founders or being vague about progress. Shaan Puri is radically transparent: if he’s interested, you’ll know almost instantly. If not, he’ll often share the why. This level of blunt transparency saves founders both time and stress. Some rolling fund investors now publicly tweet or blog about their process; VCs are catching up, but culture change is slow.

Community and Network Benefits

When you take money from Shaan Puri, you also tap into his broader founder/angel collective—a new-style “alumni network” with a bias for speed over hierarchy. Need a quick intro to a growth advisor, B2B SaaS contact, or creator? Expect an answer in days, not weeks. VCs provide durable, formal introductions, but the cadence is slower and more structured.

Portfolio Support Strategies

Shaan is known for “invest and tweet support”—driving initial attention, user sign-ups, and even customer leads. He’s not on your board, but he can unlock users, hires, or collaborations at critical moments. VCs may offer partner office hours or “platform teams,” but those benefits typically accrue as the company scales, not when it’s two people and a pitch deck.

Deal Sourcing Approaches

Shaan Puri leverages social media, podcasts, and direct inbound from his audience, which attracts founders who operate outside the typical Sand Hill Road circuit. This means he sees deals missed by institutional VCs. VCs rely more on networks, accelerators, founder referrals, and existing portfolio companies. If your project is non-traditional, Shaan’s model is more likely to give you a shot on narrative alone.

Risk Appetite and Stage Focus

Shaan Puri, as an operator-angel with rolling fund flexibility, can take risks on teams with novel models or “unproven" backgrounds. VCs, particularly multi-billion-dollar funds, are pressured to show pattern recognition and are more risk averse at pre-seed. Shaan is more likely to back "people over pitch." For more on risk and conviction calls in modern VC, see The Future of VC: Conviction Calls.

Flexibility in Deal Terms

Here’s where the real-world friction disappears. Shaan often participates on standard SAFEs or convertible notes—no complicated terms, no pro rata overhangs, no “most favored nation” clauses. Traditional VCs, especially at Series A and beyond, want more negotiation power and legal diligence baked into every deal.

Shaan: Fast, founder-friendly docs—no law firms needed.
VCs: Detailed document review, board seats, complicated term sheets at later stages.

Brand Influence & Signal Value

Shaan Puri can elevate your social signal in a single tweet or newsletter. His involvement often opens doors to future operator-angels, other rolling funds, or even bigger VCs. However, landing a “Tier 1” VC (think a16z, Sequoia) remains a major "signal" and can still open even larger doors for subsequent rounds and major press.

Follow-on Funding Support

Traditional VCs become powerful allies in Series A+ fundraises: they’re often first to write or lead the next round (if things go well). Shaan and other rolling fund angels may not have the capital to do so, but can help with signal, warm intros, and conviction-building among later stage investors.

Unique Insights Shaan Puri Offers

One edge Shaan Puri has is a relentless focus on narrative. He pushes founders to clarify why now, why this team, and why this product will tip the market. He’ll coach you to sharpen your storytelling, identify network-driven growth, and see around corners on product/market fit. VCs bring pattern recognition at scale, but can miss the offbeat, novel stories that Shaan is known to identify early.

How to Pitch Shaan Puri (and Capitaly.vc)

Lead with why you’re different, not just why you’re good.
Share traction data, if any, but focus on what you’ve uniquely learned about your market.
Don’t waste time on a polished deck—clarity and energy beat style points here.
Be ready for fast decisions and follow-up—speed is a feature, not a bug.

If you want more tactical guidance, check out How to Perfect Your Angel Investor Pitch.

FAQs

Who is Shaan Puri?
An operator-angel, investor, and podcast host known for fast investments and strong founder relationships.
What is the average decision timeline for Shaan Puri vs VCs?
Shaan can decide in 1-2 days; VCs usually take weeks.
Are Shaan Puri’s check sizes smaller than most VCs?
Usually yes, but the tradeoff is less process and dilution.
What “value add” does Shaan Puri provide?
Network unlock, operator advice, instant signal on social channels.
How transparent is the process?
Highly transparent. If he’s in, you know fast. If not, you’ll often get clear reasons.
What’s a rolling fund?
A fund structure that takes in money regularly (quarterly), allowing ongoing investments—unlike a typical VC fund with fixed timelines. For more, see Rolling Funds Explained.
Can Shaan Puri lead a round?
In some cases, yes—though he more often participates alongside other angels and funds.
Do traditional VCs offer bigger checks?
Usually yes, but with more control and involvement expectations.
What are the pros and cons of taking Shaan Puri’s money?
Pros: Speed, operator perspective, minimal friction. Cons: Smaller check, limited follow-on capability.
How can I reach out to Shaan Puri or Capitaly.vc?
Through intros, DMs, or using their official application channels. See How to Contact Angel Investors for pro tips.

Conclusion

Choosing between Shaan Puri and traditional VCs boils down to your need for speed, check size, founder fit, and expectations on value add. With Shaan Puri vs VC, you won’t just find a faster process—you’ll experience a different philosophy on what founders need and when. For those ready to move at the pace of AI, rolling funds like Shaan’s and platforms like Capitaly.vc offer a compelling new model.

Subscribe to Capitaly.vc Substack (https://capitaly.substack.com/) to raise capital at the speed of AI.