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Comment by amirmc | Hacker News Reader

"Why should I invest in you instead of hiring 1/2/3 people and outsource the whole project?"

Most of the questions seem sensible but the one above seems really out of place (and would put me off whichever 'investor' asked it). Has an approach like this ever worked?

Having said that, it's nice to be reminded that there's a world outside SV/London where people can actually get started (and funded).

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That's a common question on Dragons' Den (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragons%27_Den#UK)

A common answer is "because we have a patent" which may be what they want to hear.

I came to comment on that exact same question - so not only will VC's not sign confidentiality agreements, but they can ask something like this? I'm curious if there are instances of this happening?

So the right answer to that is "because you are a professional and honorable business man, and not a sleazy bastard". ;)

I'd say the right answer is something like this : 'Because if you do that we will kick that other team's ass and you will regret it. We are the best people for this project and we will kill ourselves to make this product the best in the world.' I guarantee you he would invest in us at that point. :)

it's nice to be reminded that there's a world outside SV/London where people can actually get started (and funded).

It's also nice to bear in mind that there's a world outside SV/NYC/London where people can get started and succeed without playing the "getting funded" game at all.

Shocking, I know.

I should have said "(and funded, if required)".

One of the (many) reasons people cite SV/NYC/London as a place to move to is easier access to capital.

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