Endeavor’s Reverse Pitch 2026: How VCs Are Evaluating Deals Today
Kuala Lumpur, Thursday, July 2, 2026:- Endeavor Malaysia returned with Reverse Pitch 2026, bringing more than 130 entrepreneurs and investors face-to-face with top venture capitalists and institutional investors to unpack how deals are evaluated in today’s tight funding climate.
Representing leading regional firms including Creador, Gobi Partners, Asia Partners, Vynn Capital, and Khazanah Nasional Berhad, the investors shared candid insights on the realities of the current market and why the traditional startup playbook is no longer enough.
“Endeavor’s Reverse Pitch is refreshing as it flips the usual dynamic and gives founders direct insight into how investors think,” Syafiq Aqmar (Investment Director, Gobi Partners). “It also gives us a chance to share how we support companies from 0-to-1 and 1-to-10, across both early and growth stages,” he added.
The Rules Have Changed
Adaptation emerged as the key theme of the session. As macroeconomic conditions shift and AI reshapes how businesses operate and scale, investors are placing greater emphasis on efficiency, resilience, and adaptability.
That scrutiny is also changing how deals are assessed. Investors are looking beyond financial models to better understand an entrepreneur’s leadership, track record, and ability to execute over the long term.
The Shift to Relationship-First Fundraising
The discussion highlighted the value of building investor relationships well before a raise. Doing so can create stronger alignment and reduce the pressure of a cold pitch.
“Founders need to start building investor relationships well before a raise. Early trust and alignment can make the fundraising process less pressured and more productive,” said Melissa Ng (Investment Manager, Qualgro Partners).
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The Reality of Rejection
The open Q&A turned to the psychological realities of fundraising, with investors stressing that rejection is part of the process. Entrepreneurs were reminded to stay conviction-led, since breakthrough often comes from securing one strong investor match rather than broad consensus.
“Our goal with the Reverse Pitch was to level the playing field and demystify the funding landscape. By gathering everything from early-stage VCs to major regional institutional players in one room, we gave entrepreneurs direct insights into investor mindsets” said Shan Li Tay (Managing Director, Endeavor Malaysia). “More importantly, it created a space where founders could challenge the status quo, ask the tough questions, and build the meaningful connections that drive our ecosystem forward”, she added.
Now in its second edition, Endeavor’s Reverse Pitch continues to serve as a platform for fostering transparent, informed, and productive conversations between entrepreneurs and investors, contributing to a stronger entrepreneurial ecosystem in Malaysia.