argusINTERNAL · FOUNDER COPY
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SEED / FIRST CONTACT

SWC Global
Novai LTD (HK)

2026-10-03
Zoom · 45 minutes

Founder’s Internal Preparation File · First Contact · Zoom

Argus · First Seed Investor Meeting Guide

SWC Global × Novai LTD (HK)

Use 45 minutes to explain Argus’s customer value, validation progress, and fundraising goals, and agree with SWC Global on an actionable next step.

For internal use: includes response strategies, confidentiality boundaries, and negotiation preparation. Do not send this page in full to investors or share it during the Zoom. Use a separately reviewed, shorter fundraising document for external audiences.

This is a suggested agenda and a bank of answers for rehearsal. It is not SWC Global’s official process or a list of questions they have already sent. Follow the actual meeting. Novai LTD (HK) is the proposed investee entity name provided by the user; the formal company name, registration details, signing authority, and ownership of Argus intellectual property still need to be verified.

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01

Fill in verified data before rehearsal

Content marked [TO FILL: ...] must not be presented externally as fact. Replace it after verification; if there is no information, say so clearly, and do not give figures without reliable data.

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Fill in verified data before rehearsal · Status
StatusHow to use itMust avoid
Supported by project documentationArgus’s positioning, interfaces, data contracts, evidence, and temporal mechanisms; confirm that the current Demo is runnable.Presenting existing code as a commercial launch, complete data coverage, or existing paying customers.
Provided by userSWC Global is the prospective investor; Novai LTD (HK) is the investee; this is an initial seed round discussion.Treating the proposed investee entity name as a verified legal name and proof of ownership.
Proposal / assumptionInitial customer selection, pricing direction, milestones, and pace of progress.Presenting proposed plans as a validated business model or achieved results.
Evidence to provideCustomers, revenue, retention, team, cash, valuation, fundraising amount, data rights, and production evaluations.Inventing figures, contracts, investment commitments, customer logos, or competitor performance.

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Fill in verified data before rehearsal · Required before the meeting
Required before the meetingHow to fill it in
Company and ownership[TO FILL: legal name, place of registration, date of incorporation, founders and equity overview, ownership of Argus IP, related entities]; keep detailed documents for controlled due diligence later.
Team[TO FILL: founder names, titles, full-time status, relevant experience, capability gaps].
Commercial validationAs of [TO FILL: date], [TO FILL] companies interviewed, [TO FILL] pilots, and [TO FILL] paying customers; define deduplication, activity, and payment criteria separately.
Revenue and usage[TO FILL: currency, actual revenue, applicability of MRR / ARR, active customers, retention period, usage volume, customer concentration]; do not count letters of intent as revenue.
Fundraising and cash[TO FILL: round amount, currency, current cash, net monthly burn, months of runway after fundraising, instrument preference, target terms].
Quality and permissions[TO FILL: data sources available for demo, actual coverage, update latency, status of authorization documents, evaluation samples and results].
Fundraising milestones[TO FILL: deadline, paying customer target, recurring revenue target, retention / unit cost target]; these are targets, not guarantees.

What success looks like for this meeting

The investor can restate the customer and value, identify the main concerns, and confirm whether there is a fit. Both sides agree on the owner, materials, and date for a second meeting or evidence follow-up. Initial interest, verbal support, a Term Sheet, and funds actually received are different stages.

Wording aligned with the current Argus project

  • Argus is a financial fact data layer for AI Agents. CLI + Skill and MCP are the main integration methods; REST supports HTTPS and batch clients. All three reuse the same core governance boundary.
  • The public interfaces provide read-only facts, evidence, catalogs, streams, governance metadata, and export capabilities. They do not provide Q&A generation, narrative generation, user state modification, strategies, orders, account control, or AI Agent orchestration. Actual tools and permissions are governed by the current registry and interface contracts.
  • The website provides documentation and onboarding guidance; it does not execute financial data tools in the webpage. Meeting Demos should use previously verified CLI, MCP, or REST calls. This guide is for internal preparation only.
  • Argus itself does not generate investment judgments, recommendations, target prices, portfolio instructions, or orders; customer Agents may independently analyze and reason over data they are legally permitted to access. Authentication, tenants, permissions, data licenses, and field restrictions still apply.
  • Public SourceEvidence excludes controlled excerpt and fields such as internal object_storage_uri. You may demo document_url or evidence_lookup_id within the scope of the applicable license; a pointer does not grant access to controlled source material. Redaction cannot replace data licensing.
  • Software controls for data licensing are not proof of third-party authorization. Production verification should include actual authorization, per-source scope, and configuration such as enforcement_enabled. Generic license checks can be configured off; some record filtering and protections for external model processing take effect independently. Do not claim that all deployments enforce controls in the same way.
02

First contact → Schedule → Prepare

The following steps take place before the meeting and are not part of the 45 minutes. Prepare and send only reviewed materials for an introductory meeting; the emails in this guide are drafts.

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First contact → Schedule → Prepare · Sequence
SequenceActionOutcome / stop condition
T−7 to T−3 days · Verify the contactPreferably use an existing introducer or official channels to verify attendees’ names, titles, and email domains; determine whether they are members of the investment team.Confirm attendees and their responsibilities; if decision-making authority is unknown, do not guess. Do not confuse SWC Global with organizations with similar names.
Initial outreach · Brief introductionWrite a short email covering the company, customer pain point, product, verified progress, and meeting request; a non-sensitive short Deck may be attached.State that this is a seed round discussion for Argus at Novai LTD (HK); if there are no validated results, clearly state the current stage.
Schedule the meetingConfirm a 45-minute Zoom, meeting language, date and time zone, attendees, host, and agenda.Hong Kong / Shanghai is UTC+8; Singapore is also UTC+8. Still state the time zone in the invitation and do not assume where attendees are located.
T−48 to T−24 hours · Send pre-readSend an 8–10 page short Deck with a one-sentence positioning statement and a 45-minute agenda. Confirm whether internal forwarding is permitted.Do not attach full source code, unredacted contracts, supplier quotes, personal identification documents, or a complete data room.
T−24 hours · RehearseOne founder leads; a co-founder or technical lead handles technical questions, and one person notes concerns and next steps.Rehearse the five-minute problem narrative, five-minute Demo, fundraising statement, and 30-second short answers. If attending alone, take brief notes.
T−15 to T−5 minutes · Technical checkCheck the network, microphone, camera, captions, screen sharing, and backup connection; silence notifications and close unrelated tabs.Use a separate Demo environment with limited permissions; first confirm the arrangements for recording, transcription, and AI meeting assistants.

Draft first-contact email

Subject: Novai LTD (HK) / Argus — Initial Seed Round Discussion

Hello [TO FILL: attendee name], I’m [TO FILL: name / title] at Novai LTD (HK). We are building Argus to provide financial AI Agent development teams with structured financial facts that include source evidence and temporal semantics, helping them reduce data integration and verification work. Our actual progress to date is [TO FILL: product stage or customer validation; do not overstate]. We are preparing to raise [TO FILL: amount and currency] in a seed round and would like to schedule a 45-minute Zoom with SWC Global to discuss customer validation, business model, and investment fit. I’ve attached a short Deck for an introductory meeting. Would any of [TO FILL: candidate dates / time zone] work for you?

SWC Global: confirmed and to be confirmed

Its website describes it as a global VC headquartered in Singapore and showcases a portfolio across India, Southeast Asia, and Global Tech, including Aether AI, PuppyGraph, and MorphMind. This can be a basis for asking about its technology investment experience; it does not establish its willingness to invest in Argus. The current seed investment amount, willingness to lead, requirements for Hong Kong companies, fund signing entity, partners, and investment committee process all need to be confirmed in person. [S1]

03

45-minute meeting route

The nine segments total 45 minutes. The first 29 minutes include discussion of the corresponding questions; they are not 29 consecutive minutes of one-way presentation. Reserve 8 minutes for focused follow-up questions, 5 minutes for founder questions, and 3 minutes to wrap up.

  1. Before the meeting: verify identities + short materials + rehearse the Demo
  2. 00–03: Opening, agenda, and recording arrangements
  3. 03–08: Customer pain point + why now
  4. 08–13: Demo of one real task
  5. 13–18: Early validation + customer acquisition
  6. 18–24: Business model + market + competition
  7. 24–29: Team + Hong Kong entity + fundraising
  8. 29–37: Key concerns and focused Q&A
  9. 37–42: Founder questions for SWC Global
  10. 42–45: Recap shared understanding + confirm next steps
  11. After the meeting: notes → second meeting / further validation / stop the process
01

Willing to continue → product / commercial deep dive → controlled due diligence → term discussions → signing and closing

02

More evidence needed → agree on validation metrics and an update date

03

Not a fit → record the reasons and politely conclude

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45-minute meeting route · Hard time checkpoint
Hard time checkpointHost action
Minute 13End the Demo; if a problem lasts more than 30 seconds, switch immediately to the backup recording or screenshots.
Minute 24Move to the team and fundraising; leave market or competition details for follow-up questions after minute 29.
Minute 29End the main narrative and ask: Which two questions would you most like to validate first?
Minute 37Reserve time for founder questions; add any unfinished follow-up questions to the post-meeting list.
Minute 42Stop opening new topics and confirm who will do what, which materials are needed, and by when.
Minute 45End on time; do not extend the meeting to read through the question bank.

Transition script for interruptions or running over time

That’s an important question. I’ll give the conclusion in 30 seconds first. If useful, we can include the detailed evidence in our next discussion. To finish within 45 minutes, I’d like to reserve the last 8 minutes to confirm our fit and next steps.

The sequence after the first meeting depends on the actual process

A second meeting, materials review, due diligence, and term discussions may take place in alternating or parallel order. Do not treat the illustrative path as SWC Global’s fixed process. Any progress after the first meeting should follow arrangements confirmed by both sides.

04

Segment-by-segment scripts and Q&A

The 18 core questions below form the main rehearsal path. Use the reference questions to address different investor concerns. Founders should confirm any plans and assumptions in the suggested answers; all operating figures must be supported by real evidence.

Search filters only the Q&A bank; other preparation materials remain visible. 46 matching questions

Answer core questions in 30–45 seconds. Use reference questions only if asked; this page is not intended to be read question by question during the 45 minutes.

00—033 minutes
01 / 09

Opening, Agenda, and Introductions

Objective for this section Establish context and confirm the 45-minute schedule, attendee roles, language preference, and recording arrangements.

Rehearsal script

Thank you for making time for us, SWC Global. I’m [TO FILL: name / title] from Novai LTD (HK), here to introduce Argus. We provide financial AI Agent development teams with traceable, structured financial facts. I’d like to start with the customer and product, then review real validation and this funding round, and leave time to understand your fund’s evaluation process and agree on next steps. We have 45 minutes today, and you’re welcome to ask questions at any time.

Action

  1. Confirm names and responsibilities; ask about language preferences and whether anyone needs to leave early.
  2. Confirm recording, transcription, and AI assistants; do not assume permission to save or forward anything externally.
Time checkMove to the customer problem at minute 3.
Q01In one sentence, what is Argus?Core
Suggested answer

Argus is a financial facts data layer for AI Agents. Through CLI + Skill, MCP, and REST, it returns structured financial facts with source evidence, timestamps, quality, and licensing information. Its customer value is reducing data integration and verification work; the specific impact needs to be demonstrated with customer results.

Pre-meeting preparation / evidence

Prepare one example of a customer task; avoid listing technical components.

Disclosure boundary

Suitable for an introductory meeting; do not promise investment returns or absolute accuracy.

Q02What would you like to get out of today?Core
Suggested answer

We’d like to confirm whether SWC Global is a fit for our seed stage, customer focus, and Hong Kong fundraising entity. If there’s interest, we’d like to schedule a deeper discussion on customer validation or the product. The round target is [TO FILL: currency / amount]. Today, we’d first like to confirm the rationale and fit.

Pre-meeting preparation / evidence

Keep the fundraising target consistent with the purpose of the meeting.

Disclosure boundary

The fundraising target can be shared; keep internal negotiating limits confidential.

Q03What is the relationship between Novai and Argus?Reference
Suggested answer

Novai LTD (HK) is the proposed fundraising entity for this round, and Argus is the project / product. The company’s legal name and the relationship between its operations and IP ownership are [TO FILL: verified relationship]. If there are related entities or any ownership formalities that are not yet complete, we will explain that accurately and provide documents during a controlled review later.

Pre-meeting preparation / evidence

Company registration details and the basis for IP ownership.

Disclosure boundary

Do not infer legal ownership from a repository’s location or brand association.

03—085 minutes
02 / 09

Customer Pain Points and Why Now

Objective for this section Help the other party understand the real work of a specific customer rather than abstract AI trends.

Rehearsal script

We initially focus on teams building financial AI Agents. They need more than a number: they also need to know where it came from, when it was available, whether they can use it, and how to verify it when sources conflict. Today, customers often piece together APIs, disclosure documents, and processing code themselves. Our proposed initial focus is [TO FILL: customer group and task], and the evidence for the underlying customer pain comes from [TO FILL: interview / pilot evidence].

Action

  1. Tell the story through one user, one buyer, and one task.
  2. Use verifiable materials to explain existing alternatives and their costs.
Time checkSwitch to the demo at minute 8.
Q04Who uses it, who buys it, and why them?Core
Suggested answer

The project is planned to serve fintech, research tools, and AI application development teams. We propose focusing our first customers on [TO FILL: one segment]; the users are [TO FILL], and the budget decision-makers are [TO FILL]. This choice is based on [TO FILL: interviews and pilots]. We will clearly identify anything that remains unvalidated.

Pre-meeting preparation / evidence

Customer roles, purchasing path, and source of budget.

Disclosure boundary

You can describe customer categories; get authorization before naming specific customers.

Q05Why do customers need this now, and why are existing solutions insufficient?Core
Suggested answer

Our hypothesis is that Agent workflows need facts that are directly usable, verifiable, and correct for the relevant point in time. Getting a value alone still leaves customers to handle its source, fields, revisions, and permissions. We will test whether Argus reduces integration and verification costs using [TO FILL: a comparison on the same task]. We will not claim customers will buy based on AI trends alone.

Pre-meeting preparation / evidence

Current workflow, customer interviews, and comparisons of time / cost.

Disclosure boundary

Do not report a savings percentage without measured results.

Q06Are you solving the hallucination problem?Reference
Suggested answer

We improve the quality and verifiability of factual inputs: facts are returned together with their sources, timestamps, and quality information. Downstream models can still misinterpret or reason incorrectly, and source disclosures can also be wrong, so we cannot claim to eliminate hallucinations. We can provide [TO FILL: task-level evaluation] to show where we help.

Pre-meeting preparation / evidence

Distinguish extraction accuracy, citation accuracy, and downstream answer quality.

Disclosure boundary

Do not guarantee performance across all models or tasks.

Q07Where is the first revenue most likely to come from?Reference
Suggested answer

We plan to start with [TO FILL: segment and task of customers already contacted], then convert a small, deliverable pilot into a paid engagement rather than relying first on the long procurement cycles of large banks. Our actual pipeline is [TO FILL: distinguish contacts / pilots / commercial discussions / signed agreements]. If we have no orders, we will say clearly that nothing has been signed.

Pre-meeting preparation / evidence

Sales pipeline and next steps; do not count conversations as contracts.

Disclosure boundary

Do not disclose unauthorized contacts or customer-specific terms.

08—135 minutes
03 / 09

Product Demo for One Task

Objective for this section Show that facts, sources, and timestamps can be read together by a machine; demonstrate only capabilities that are ready.

Rehearsal script

Next, I’ll demonstrate one task: [TO FILL: querying a company disclosure fact]. We’ll first clarify the entity, field, and query timestamp, then retrieve a structured result using the [TO FILL: verified interface]. We’ll check the fact, source pointer, and timestamp, and show a quality or unavailable status. The sample is a [TO FILL: production-authorized sample / redacted sample / clearly labeled fixture]; it does not represent full coverage or validation of a commercial service.

Action

  1. 0—30 seconds: Explain the customer task and current alternative.
  2. 30—150 seconds: Run the rehearsed request and show the fact, timestamp, and source pointer.
  3. 150—210 seconds: Show one verified example involving a historical query, conflict, or missing data.
  4. 210—240 seconds: Explain licensing and output boundaries; leave about one minute for core questions.
Time checkFinish at minute 13; switch to the backup if a failure lasts longer than 30 seconds.
Q08What stage has the product actually reached?Core
Suggested answer

The current repository and documentation support CLI + Skill, MCP, REST, and a unified structured contract. CLI + Skill and MCP are the main integrations; REST supports HTTPS and batch clients. Public capabilities are read-only and do not include Q&A, strategies, trading, or Agent orchestration. What can be verified today is [TO FILL: Demo scope and version]; production coverage, reliability, paid usage, and service levels are [TO FILL: measured status] and cannot be inferred from code volume or the website being live.

Pre-meeting preparation / evidence

Version, runnable demo, and production status checklist.

Disclosure boundary

Distinguish the demo from production; clearly label unreleased features as plans.

Q09What value do you add over connecting directly to a financial data API?Core
Suggested answer

What we propose to deliver is more than field values. It is a fact package that can be embedded in Agent workflows, including field definitions, source evidence, query timestamp, revisions, quality, and licensing. Whether customers find it worth buying needs to be assessed by comparing [TO FILL: integration time, verification steps, and total cost for the same task]. The interface alone is not a unique advantage.

Pre-meeting preparation / evidence

A same-task comparison and customer feedback.

Disclosure boundary

Do not claim that all APIs lack these capabilities.

Q10Which markets does the data cover, and is it real time?Reference
Suggested answer

The scope that is currently usable and authorized is [TO FILL: markets / entities / historical depth / fields]. Update latency is [TO FILL: listed by source]. A tool definition does not mean that a vendor or production data is in place. We disclose gaps and latency by source, and do not describe daily or delayed data as real time.

Pre-meeting preparation / evidence

Coverage matrix, production sources, and update records.

Disclosure boundary

Answer strictly according to actual authorization and availability.

Q11How do you demonstrate accuracy, historical queries, and revisions?Reference
Suggested answer

The current mechanisms retain fact sources and the time when information became available. Historical queries should exclude information that became available only after the query timestamp; conflicts and revisions need to be recorded explicitly. Evidence of reliability requires [TO FILL: sample size, benchmark, human review, error rate, and date]. If we have no production evaluation, we will say directly that this is still being validated.

Pre-meeting preparation / evidence

Quality labels are not an accuracy guarantee; prepare failure cases.

Disclosure boundary

Share evaluation summaries only; keep restricted source text and the full proprietary dataset under controlled access.

Q12Could you integrate with our Agent on the spot?Reference
Suggested answer

If the scope, authorization, and time allow, we can validate this in a separate follow-up technical session using a sandbox. Today, we’ll first show the standard request / response format so an unplanned configuration does not take over the introductory meeting. We will not ask you to provide production credentials or share our own production credentials.

Pre-meeting preparation / evidence

Sandbox integration checklist and agenda for the next technical session.

Disclosure boundary

Limit permissions, duration, and data scope.

13—185 minutes
04 / 09

Early Validation and Customer Acquisition

Objective for this section Show that development progress and market progress are measured separately, and explain the most uncertain assumptions clearly.

Rehearsal script

As of [TO FILL: date], we have completed [TO FILL: product validation], conducted [TO FILL: number] interviews, run [TO FILL: number] pilots, and served [TO FILL: number] paying customers. These figures use the following definitions: [TO FILL: criteria]. Our strongest evidence is [TO FILL: real example], and our largest unvalidated assumption is [TO FILL]. In the next stage, we plan to use [TO FILL: customer experiment] to demonstrate continued usage and willingness to pay. If we do not yet have customers or revenue, we will state clearly that the business has not yet been commercially validated.

Action

  1. Show only three to five of the most relevant real metrics, with dates and definitions.
  2. If there is no revenue, use interviews and pilot tasks to explain the current stage and the assumptions still to be validated.
Time checkMove to the business model at minute 18.
Q13How many customers do you have, what is your revenue, and what is retention?Core
Suggested answer

As of [TO FILL: date], we have [TO FILL] actual paying customers and [TO FILL] pilot customers. Revenue is [TO FILL: currency / period / recognition basis]. Retention is tracked by [TO FILL: customer cohort / time window]. If we have not yet charged customers, we will say revenue is zero. If we do not yet have enough data to assess a retention period, we will say the sample is insufficient.

Pre-meeting preparation / evidence

Deduplicated customer count, payment evidence or supporting records, and cohorts.

Disclosure boundary

Aggregate figures can be shared; customer-specific financials and names should be restricted.

Q14How will you get your first 10 customers, and how will you show they will pay?Core
Suggested answer

We plan to reach out through [TO FILL: specific developer community / founder channel], run a small pilot on [TO FILL: task] with clear acceptance criteria and pricing, and observe whether customers keep using it and convert to paid engagements. Our actual acquisition funnel is [TO FILL: actual funnel]; our next target is [TO FILL]. We do not count free installations or meetings as evidence of willingness to pay.

Pre-meeting preparation / evidence

Funnel, conditions for converting pilots to paid engagements, and sales cycle.

Disclosure boundary

Keep plans separate from results already achieved.

Q15What do users like most, and what are they least satisfied with?Reference
Suggested answer

Actual feedback is [TO FILL: feedback that can be quoted and its date]; the most common obstacle is [TO FILL]. Based on this feedback, we have made [TO FILL: completed improvement] and have yet to resolve [TO FILL]. If we have no user feedback, we will not invent any; we will explain that validation is being arranged.

Pre-meeting preparation / evidence

Authorized interview summaries and product iteration records.

Disclosure boundary

Do not use customer names or direct quotes without permission.

Q16What are your sales cycle, churn, and customer concentration like?Reference
Suggested answer

The observed sales cycle is [TO FILL: sample and range]; reasons for churn or for stopping a pilot include [TO FILL]. The share of revenue from our largest customers is [TO FILL]. If the sample is too small, we will say the figure is unstable. Next, we plan to reduce dependency through [TO FILL: channel and product measures], without presenting projections as results already achieved.

Pre-meeting preparation / evidence

Sales stage records, churn definition, and concentration.

Disclosure boundary

Be candid about concentration risks that could affect investment decisions.

18—246 minutes
05 / 09

Business Model, Market, and Competition

Objective for this section Explain where revenue comes from, how costs will be controlled, how the market is estimated, and how a sustainable advantage will be validated.

Rehearsal script

We plan to begin commercialization with [TO FILL: selected primary model], with customers paying for [TO FILL: clearly defined value]. We estimate the initial market based on [TO FILL: number of customers in the target segment] and [TO FILL: reasonable annual spending assumption], and will state our assumptions. Competitors include existing data APIs, in-house systems, and other Agent data tools. We plan to enter the market through [TO FILL: differentiation supported by existing evidence]. A long-term moat still needs to be demonstrated through accumulated quality, coverage, and customer workflow integration.

Action

  1. Distinguish revenue from data supply, software services, and deployment; do not combine their gross margins.
  2. Estimate the market bottom up; limit competitor comparisons to the same task and verifiable facts.
Time checkMove to the team and fundraising at minute 24.
Q17How do you charge, and how large is the market?Core
Suggested answer

We plan to first validate [TO FILL: primary model, such as subscription plus usage or data modules]. Pricing will be based on the value of the customer's task and the cost to serve them; our actual pricing is [TO FILL: or, if not yet set, undecided]. We will estimate the initial serviceable market as [TO FILL: number of target accounts × annual spending assumption], then distinguish between accounts we can reach and accounts we can win. We will provide the sources for all assumptions and a validation plan.

Pre-meeting preparation / evidence

Pricing interviews, basis for the customer count, and actual or assumed price per customer.

Disclosure boundary

Do not treat the entire financial market or asset base as the addressable revenue market.

Q18What if others enter through MCP, data vendors, or foundation model providers?Core
Suggested answer

MCP is a general-purpose interface, not a moat. We need to validate whether customers will pay for reliable factual semantics, source traceability, historical as-of data, and governance integration. A truly sustainable advantage should come from [TO FILL: assets accumulated and customer evidence], and be demonstrated through continued use and switching costs. We will clearly say when a moat has not yet been established and is still being built.

Pre-meeting preparation / evidence

Competitive matrix and reasons customers choose us.

Disclosure boundary

Do not invent exclusive data rights, network effects, or claims that we cannot be replicated.

Q19What are your costs per call, gross margins, and ability to scale?Reference
Suggested answer

Costs for a typical task should include data licenses, scraping and synchronization, parsing and model usage, storage, compute, operations, and human review; the actual sample is [TO FILL]. Caching, batch processing, and deterministic processing may reduce costs, subject to licensing and update requirements. If we do not yet have production measurements, we will not report unsupported gross margins and will first prepare a budget using clearly stated assumptions.

Pre-meeting preparation / evidence

Cost breakdown for a typical task, distinguishing shared costs from incremental costs.

Disclosure boundary

A summary is fine; do not disclose confidential vendor quotes.

Q20Who do you depend on? Do you face exclusivity or migration risks?Reference
Suggested answer

Key dependencies are [TO FILL: sources, vendors, models, cloud]. We will describe exclusivity only if there is an actual contract and we are permitted to disclose it. Our substitution and migration plan is [TO FILL]. Source shutdowns, price increases, or changes in authorization could affect the service; we will document the impact on coverage and our response for each dependency.

Pre-meeting preparation / evidence

Dependency list, substitutability, and actual contract status.

Disclosure boundary

Do not hide a material single-source dependency on the grounds of confidentiality.

Q21Will you ultimately be a data company or a platform?Reference
Suggested answer

We are starting with a deliverable factual layer and clearly defined customer tasks. Over time, we may expand to more authorized data domains and enterprise workflows, but each expansion must be validated through payment, quality, and cost. We will not present our vision as an established platform or claim achieved scale effects.

Pre-meeting preparation / evidence

Roadmap and validation gates for each stage.

Disclosure boundary

We can share our vision; consider withholding implementation details that have not been made public.

24—295 minutes
06 / 09

Team, Hong Kong Entity, and Fundraising

Objective for this section Explain why your team is the right one to build this, what this round will validate, and the status of entity readiness.

Rehearsal script

The team consists of [TO FILL: actual team members], with relevant capabilities based on [TO FILL: verifiable experience]. Novai LTD (HK) is proposed as the fundraising entity, and the relationship between operations and IP is [TO FILL: verified relationship]. We plan to raise [TO FILL: amount / currency] to fund [TO FILL: actual budget] for [TO FILL: number of months], and reach [TO FILL: paid usage, retention, unit economics, and other goals] by [TO FILL: date]. These are plans, not achieved results or guarantees.

Action

  1. Show the team's fit through relevant experience rather than lengthy biographies.
  2. Tie use of funds to business milestones, using consistent assumptions for cash and months of runway.
Time checkMove to a concentrated Q&A focused on concerns at minute 29.
Q22Why is your team the right one? Are the founders full-time?Core
Suggested answer

Founder [TO FILL: name / role] has verifiable experience in [TO FILL: relevant financial data, engineering, or customer work]. Full-time status is [TO FILL]. Our current capability gap is [TO FILL], and we plan to address it through [TO FILL: specific arrangement]. AI development tools can improve efficiency, but they do not remove the need for data quality, security, and commercial delivery capabilities.

Pre-meeting preparation / evidence

Verifiable experience, full-time status, and key capability gaps.

Disclosure boundary

Do not fabricate work history, advisor relationships, or employment status.

Q23How much are you raising, how long will it last, and what will you achieve in the next stage?Core
Suggested answer

We plan to raise [TO FILL: currency / amount]. Current cash is [TO FILL], and monthly net burn is [TO FILL]. After accounting for expenses and one-time costs, the new funding is expected to provide [TO FILL] months of runway. The funds will mainly go toward [TO FILL: budget categories], supporting [TO FILL: paid usage / revenue / retention / cost / quality goals] by [TO FILL: date]. Our backup plan if we miss the goals is [TO FILL].

Pre-meeting preparation / evidence

Budget and post-fundraise cash plan; do not simply divide the amount by current burn.

Disclosure boundary

Keep the numbers accurate; do not volunteer your negotiating floor.

Q24Why a Hong Kong company? Where are your operations, IP, and customers?Reference
Suggested answer

The actual reason for establishing Novai LTD (HK) is [TO FILL: genuine business reason]. The locations of operations and employees, customer contracting entity, and IP ownership are [TO FILL: verified facts]. If your fund has requirements for the investment entity or structure, we are willing to understand them and have our advisors assess them. Today, we will not promise any restructuring or tax outcome that has not been reviewed.

Pre-meeting preparation / evidence

Entity structure chart, chain of title, and actual operating arrangements.

Disclosure boundary

Do not imply that Hong Kong incorporation automatically satisfies cross-border investment or regulatory requirements.

Q25What are your valuation, fundraising instrument, lead investor, and current status?Reference
Suggested answer

We are currently considering [TO FILL: preference for equity / convertible instrument], with a target for terms of [TO FILL: what can be shared externally]. If we have not decided yet, we will say so. Our need for a lead investor is [TO FILL]. We will describe the status of other investors separately as contacted, evaluating, written terms received, signed, or funded; verbal interest is not a commitment. Applicable Hong Kong documents and corporate approvals must be checked separately.

Pre-meeting preparation / evidence

Fundraising status table and scope of authorized terms.

Disclosure boundary

Do not volunteer the lowest acceptable terms or disclose restricted materials from other funds.

Q26What if this round does not close or customer progress is slow?Reference
Suggested answer

We can operate for [TO FILL] months without new funding. We can prioritize [TO FILL: key deliverables] and defer [TO FILL: non-core expenses], focusing on [TO FILL: validation goal]. Our gaps and risks are [TO FILL]. Fundraising would accelerate validation, but it cannot replace customer demand.

Pre-meeting preparation / evidence

Actual cash position, scope for reducing expenses, and backup budget.

Disclosure boundary

Do not conceal material cash or operating risks.

29—378 minutes
07 / 09

Focused Q&A: Choose Based on Concerns

Objective for this section Prioritize the two questions that matter most to the other party. Choose from core topics in Q27 and Q35 or other reference questions; there is no requirement to cover every question in 8 minutes.

Rehearsal script

Of product, paid demand, data rights, and commercial sustainability, which two would you most like us to validate first? I will start with the conclusion and available evidence. Anything that remains unvalidated will be listed as a follow-up.

Action

  1. Choose two key concerns and spend about 2—3 minutes on each; use the remaining two minutes or so to clarify other brief questions.
  2. For detailed technical or legal questions, record the recipient, materials, and follow-up meeting needed.
Time checkStart asking the investor questions at minute 37, whether or not you have used the reference bank.
Q27Where does the data come from? Do you actually have commercial and redistribution rights?Core
Suggested answer

Our data source categories and actual integrations are [TO FILL]; rights confirmed to date are [TO FILL]; unresolved areas are [TO FILL]. We verify commercial use, caching, redistribution, and external model processing restrictions source by source. A license status in the software is not proof of contractual authorization. We will not promise to sell materials that are not authorized.

Pre-meeting preparation / evidence

Source-by-source rights matrix and actual document status.

Disclosure boundary

Third-party restricted contracts and original source text may only be provided within the scope of the applicable permissions.

Q28Are you a regulated investment advice product?Reference
Suggested answer

Argus itself provides factual services and does not generate investment judgments, recommendations, target prices, portfolio instructions, or orders; customer Agents may independently analyze data they are legally permitted to access, subject to authentication, tenant, permission, and data license requirements. Actual legal and regulatory requirements must be assessed based on business activities, customers, data, and jurisdiction. Completed legal assessment: [TO FILL]; if it has not been completed, state that truthfully.

Pre-meeting preparation / evidence

Actual business boundaries and status of advisor assessment.

Disclosure boundary

Do not say, “We only provide data, so we are definitely not regulated.”

Q29How do you prevent permission bypass, data leaks, or source injection?Reference
Suggested answer

The project documentation describes a unified core boundary that handles authentication context, tenants, permissions, licensing, structure, source validation, and auditing; external source text is treated as data. Actual evidence of production configuration, threat assessment, security testing, and incident procedures is [TO FILL]. We will not claim zero risk or certification based on documentation alone.

Pre-meeting preparation / evidence

Security assessment summary, production configuration verification, test scope, and the actual status of data authorization and license check settings.

Disclosure boundary

Do not disclose details of unremediated vulnerabilities, credentials, or attack paths.

Q30Does data processing depend on LLMs? What happens if you change models?Reference
Suggested answer

We distinguish deterministic field processing from model-assisted steps by task; actual usage is [TO FILL: validated workflow]. Model-assisted facts need to retain their sources, confidence, and review status. External processing must also comply with data permissions. A model change requires reevaluation; we cannot assume all models are equivalent.

Pre-meeting preparation / evidence

Current model usage list, evaluations, and permissions.

Disclosure boundary

Do not present acceptance testing of a model as proof that it is reliable in every production scenario.

Q31How will you take responsibility if customer data is wrong?Reference
Suggested answer

We will describe coverage, quality, latency, and anomalies, and use source tracing to help locate errors. Our specific service commitments, remediation process, and contractual responsibilities are [TO FILL: actual terms or proposed approach]. We will not promise unlimited liability in an introductory meeting or present quality labels as a guarantee.

Pre-meeting preparation / evidence

Issue handling process and actual SLA / contract status.

Disclosure boundary

Do not describe unsigned terms as existing protections.

Q32Is it open source? Who owns the IP?Reference
Suggested answer

The status of public repositories or code access is [TO FILL]. The licenses, third-party dependencies, and basis for Novai's ownership of the source code and data processing assets are [TO FILL]. We will check the chain of assignment or licensing for work contributed by founders, employees, and contractors; if the paperwork is incomplete, we will describe the gap. Public interfaces and private implementations should be treated separately.

Pre-meeting preparation / evidence

License list, ownership documents, and third-party contributions.

Disclosure boundary

Do not call public code secret or assume that everything belongs to the company.

Q33Can you give us full source code, datasets, or database access?Reference
Suggested answer

In the first meeting, we can share a high-level architecture and redacted results. During technical due diligence, we can confirm the scope, recipients, confidentiality arrangements, and third-party restrictions before considering read-only materials or an on-site review. We will not provide production database access, complete customer datasets, or production credentials.

Pre-meeting preparation / evidence

A technical validation plan that provides only what is necessary.

Disclosure boundary

Use staged disclosure; an NDA does not remove data licensing restrictions.

Q34May we contact your customers or suppliers directly to verify?Reference
Suggested answer

At an appropriate stage, we can arrange validation with authorized customers or suppliers. First, we will clarify the assessment purpose and questions, then coordinate consent and timing. Today, we can provide redacted evidence and avoid contacting customers without permission or exposing commercial relationships.

Pre-meeting preparation / evidence

Potential references and their authorization status.

Disclosure boundary

Do not provide a list of contacts without authorization.

Q35What are your three biggest risks?Core
Suggested answer

The risks to examine first for this project are whether paid demand exists, whether data rights and coverage can be sustained, and whether service costs and quality can scale. Our actual highest risks, in order, are [TO FILL: ordered by actual status], and the corresponding validation or remediation plans are [TO FILL]. We will also disclose material matters such as cash, IP, and key personnel.

Pre-meeting preparation / evidence

Risk, impact, owner, and validation date.

Disclosure boundary

Do not list only generic risks to obscure a known material issue.

Q36What return could we get from investing, and what is the exit path?Reference
Suggested answer

We aim to build sustainable revenue around [TO FILL: clearly defined customer task], then expand coverage and workflow value. The return logic depends on actual customer growth, retention, and unit economics. Potential exits can be discussed as long-term scenarios, but there is no identified buyer or guaranteed return. The current priority is to validate whether this business works.

Pre-meeting preparation / evidence

Commercial expansion logic and stage goals.

Disclosure boundary

Do not guarantee a multiple, exit date, or acquisition interest.

Q37We want to discuss exclusivity, restructuring, or board seats now. Can we?Reference
Suggested answer

We can understand your request, but these matters affect corporate governance and other fundraising arrangements. Please first provide proposed terms and a timeframe in writing. We will have authorized decision-makers and advisors review them before responding; we will not make an unauthorized commitment today.

Pre-meeting preparation / evidence

Company decision-making authority and terms review process.

Disclosure boundary

Do not sign or agree to material restrictions on the spot.

Q38Why approach SWC Global?Reference
Suggested answer

We saw that your website lists a Global Tech portfolio that includes Aether AI, PuppyGraph, and MorphMind. We would like to understand whether your experience in AI infrastructure and enterprise adoption could apply to customer validation for Argus. The fit remains to be discussed by both sides; we are not treating portfolio names as an indication of investment interest or a commitment of resources.

Pre-meeting preparation / evidence

Refer only to content explicitly listed on the website. [S1]

Disclosure boundary

Do not say that your portfolio companies have endorsed you.

37—425 minutes
08 / 09

Founder Questions for SWC Global

Objective for this section Assess the fit of the fund, investment entity, resources, conflicts, and process; do not invent answers on behalf of the VC.

Rehearsal script

To determine whether it is worth investing more time on both sides, I would like to confirm the fund's fit with our stage and Hong Kong entity, its subsequent decision process, and the evidence you would most like us to provide.

Action

  1. Ask the two essential questions, spending about 1—2 minutes on each; use the remaining time for one follow-up.
  2. Record the VC's answers during the meeting; leave unanswered points as unconfirmed.
Time checkMove to the close at minute 42.
Q39Ask SWC: Do you currently invest in Hong Kong entities at this stage? What is your investment amount, lead investor preference, and actual investment entity?Core
Suggested answer

This is a question for SWC Global to answer. Suggested response for Novai: Our proposed fundraising entity and target amount are [TO FILL: actual information]. Please confirm whether you are currently a fit for our stage and whether you have requirements for the entity, IP, or structure. We will assess any written requirements and will not assume that information about portfolio companies on your website indicates investment eligibility.

Pre-meeting preparation / evidence

Record during the meeting: fund / investment entity, investment amount range, willingness to lead, and entity requirements.

Disclosure boundary

The other party’s answer is pending confirmation; do not volunteer internal minimum acceptable conditions.

Q40Ask SWC: If we continue, which two points most need validation? Who will take part in the decision, and what are the next steps?Core
Suggested answer

SWC Global should explain its evaluation criteria and process. Suggested response for Novai: We can provide [TO FILL: redacted materials] by [TO FILL: date], and would like our next discussion to focus on [TO FILL: topic]. Please confirm the participants, owner, and approximate schedule. If there is no next stage for now, please tell us what evidence would make it most useful for us to reconnect.

Pre-meeting preparation / evidence

Record during the meeting: key evidence, owner, next meeting, and decision-maker.

Disclosure boundary

Do not treat an introduction to a partner or a request for materials as a commitment.

Q41Ask SWC: How do you handle conflicts with relevant portfolio companies? How will materials be circulated internally?Reference
Suggested answer

SWC Global should answer. Suggested response for Novai: We can share non-sensitive introductory materials. If relevant portfolio companies, external experts, recording or transcription, or further distribution are involved, please confirm the recipients and purpose first. We will provide core information separately under controlled access.

Pre-meeting preparation / evidence

Record recipients, whether materials will be forwarded, and the process for relevant conflicts.

Disclosure boundary

Do not assume portfolio companies can see all materials.

Q42Ask SWC: Beyond capital, what practical support can you provide for customer access, talent, or regional expansion?Reference
Suggested answer

SWC Global should give specific examples. Suggested response for Novai: The most useful support for us would be [TO FILL: needs related to customer validation]. We would like to understand what support can be put into practice. These resources are not committed; we will rely on actual arrangements.

Pre-meeting preparation / evidence

Record specific support, conditions, and contact arrangements.

Disclosure boundary

Do not let vague promises of resources replace an assessment of the terms.

42—453 minutes
09 / 09

Close, Alignment, and Next Steps

Objective for this section First recap shared understanding and confirm actions. Q43 must be completed; use Q44 only if the other party’s position is unclear. Choose other questions as appropriate.

Rehearsal script

Today, we confirmed that Argus focuses on [TO FILL: customer and task], our current actual validation is [TO FILL: evidence], and this round aims to use [TO FILL: amount] to reach [TO FILL: goal]. Your main concern is [TO FILL: concern]. We suggest that Novai provide [TO FILL: materials] by [TO FILL: date], and that SWC Global have [TO FILL: owner to be confirmed] confirm [TO FILL: process / participants], followed by a discussion of [TO FILL: topic] on [TO FILL: candidate date]. Does this plan fit your assessment?

Action

  1. Restate areas of agreement and disagreement without overstating interest.
  2. Confirm the owner, materials, date, and channel; if there is no plan to continue, end the meeting politely.
Time checkEnd the meeting and stop the timer at minute 45.
Q43What should we send after the meeting?Core
Suggested answer

We can send a short version of the introductory deck, a redacted demo description within the scope of our permissions, and any evaluation summary you specify. Detailed financial, named customer, IP, and technical materials can be provided under controlled access at the next stage and within an agreed scope. Any figures not confirmed today will be marked with a verification date rather than filled in with an estimate on the spot.

Pre-meeting preparation / evidence

Confirm each material and its delivery date.

Disclosure boundary

Do not send this internal guide or grant bulk access to materials.

Q44What if they say, “Very interesting, let's keep in touch”?Core
Suggested answer

Respond: Thank you. Could I clarify whether this means we should schedule further evaluation, or whether you are waiting for us to complete more validation? If you need more evidence, what would matter most, and when would be the best time for us to update you? If the other party is unclear, do not record this as a commitment or formal due diligence.

Pre-meeting preparation / evidence

Record the actual status and what would trigger an update.

Disclosure boundary

Do not create the impression that the process is advancing.

Q45What if they say, “It's too early”?Reference
Suggested answer

Respond: Understood. For your fund, what would most change your assessment: paid usage, retention, coverage / licensing, or another metric? If there is a specific threshold, we can update you as we make actual progress. If the stage or direction is not a fit, we can end this process.

Pre-meeting preparation / evidence

Confirm verifiable metrics; do not argue.

Disclosure boundary

Do not fabricate progress or promise timelines we cannot deliver to please an investor.

Q46What if they express willingness to invest now?Reference
Suggested answer

Respond: Thank you for your confidence. Please clarify the investment entity, proposed amount, terms, and next steps. We will verify company authorization and arrange the next steps. We will record today's verbal indication accurately; formal documents, closing conditions, and receipt of funds still need to be completed, so we cannot immediately announce that the round has closed.

Pre-meeting preparation / evidence

Written terms and transaction arrangements to follow.

Disclosure boundary

Do not make unauthorized commitments on the spot or announce the fundraising prematurely.

05

First VC Meeting: What You Can Say and What to Protect

“Safe to discuss in the first meeting” means information may be disclosed to a verified meeting contact; it does not mean it is safe to publish publicly. First-meeting materials should demonstrate value without disclosing key trade secrets.

The table can scroll horizontally. Focus it with the keyboard, then use the arrow keys to view it.

First VC Meeting: What You Can Say and What to Protect · Information type
Information typeFirst meetingLater controlled sharing / boundaries
Positioning, pain point, customer segments, visionCan be discussed; show a redacted Demo within the authorized scope.Do not present future features as already delivered.
Public interfaces and high-level architectureCan discuss CLI + Skill, MCP, REST, and the conceptual flow from data ingestion to output.There is no need to explain private implementation, rule details, vulnerabilities, or unpublished optimizations in the first meeting; do not misrepresent already public information as a trade secret.
Customer and revenue summaryCan share genuine aggregated figures, their time basis, and customer concentration with a verified contact.Redact customer names, contacts, revenue by customer, nonpublic pricing, and contract terms as authorized; share in controlled diligence if needed.
Fundraising amount, use of funds, runwayUsually, the first meeting should explain the target, budget rationale, and actual cash position.Keep the minimum acceptable valuation, negotiating floor, and strategic details of competing terms internal; answer truthfully about the status of any existing offers.
Detailed financials, equity, prior fundraisingCan explain the overview, prior fundraising, and material matters that could affect a transaction.Provide the full cap table, bank statements, tax records, and shareholder agreements after verifying identity and controlling access; share identity documents only through necessary compliance channels.
Data sources and permissionsCan explain categories of public sources, confirmed scope of authorization, and unresolved matters.Do not release unauthorized raw data, restricted source material, supplier contracts, or pricing simply because an investor requests them. An NDA does not replace third-party authorization.
Technical core and proprietary evaluationsCan discuss method categories, public results, and verifiable summaries.Assess necessity before controlled sharing of core parsing rules, proprietary labeled datasets, complete evaluation sets, private source code, model weights, or unpublished patent details.
Credentials, personal data, and internal customer informationDo not show in the first meeting.Do not send API Keys, Tokens, private keys, or passwords to investors; provide restricted sandbox credentials for later technical validation, not production keys. Handle personal data according to authorization and necessity.
Known material risksTruthfully disclose licensing gaps, IP ownership issues, material disputes, and operational dependencies that could affect an investment decision.You may summarize the issue, its impact, and the remediation plan, and provide evidence under controlled access. Confidentiality must not be used to conceal material facts.

Practical use of an NDA

Use materials that are safe to disclose in the first meeting; do not assume the other party already owes the confidentiality duty you expect, and do not automatically treat a refusal to sign an NDA as bad faith. If a later discussion must involve core trade secrets, first agree on the purpose, recipients, forwarding and retention rules, and an appropriate confidentiality agreement, then provide materials on a need-to-know basis. If protection arrangements cannot be agreed, stick to redacted summaries or an on-site review; do not hand over secrets. Guidance from the Hong Kong Intellectual Property Department recommends putting a confidentiality agreement in place before disclosing important trade secrets; consult legal counsel about the specific agreement and patent disclosure risks. [S3][S4]

If asked for full source code or data

I can explain the architecture and show verifiable results now. The full source code / raw data contains proprietary implementation details or is subject to third-party restrictions. If we proceed to technical due diligence, we will first confirm the scope of review, recipients, and confidentiality arrangements, then provide controlled materials or an on-site review with a limited scope.

If asked for customer names or direct customer contact

I’ll first provide redacted customer segments, use cases, and validation results. Named references and customer interviews require customer consent; if we move to the next stage, I’ll coordinate an authorized reference call. Please arrange it through us.

If recording, transcription, or an AI meeting assistant is proposed

Today’s materials are being shared within the scope of an introductory meeting. Before we begin, please confirm whether the meeting will be recorded or an AI meeting assistant will be used, as well as the purpose of the records, who can access them, and how they may be forwarded. If the recording will be retained, please obtain attendees’ consent first; we can also keep human-written notes only.

30-second check before screen sharing

  • Share only the designated window; close email, chat, password managers, notifications, and private tabs.
  • Use redacted data and a separate account for the Demo; check terminal history, environment variables, request Headers, storage locations, and logs.
  • Show only facts and evidence pointers that are allowed to be disclosed; do not directly show restricted source material, internal storage URIs, or customer tenant identifiers.
  • If something is accidentally disclosed, stop sharing immediately, explain what happened, record the scope of exposure, and revoke credentials as needed; do not continue the Demo as if nothing happened.
06

Judgment and Etiquette for a Founder’s Initial VC Contact

Prepare like an operator: have a clear thesis, real evidence, known unknowns, and a validation path, and actively assess whether the investor could become a long-term shareholder.

What to do during the meeting

  • Give the conclusion first, then one example or figure, and finally acknowledge the limitations. Do not start by listing databases, frameworks, and tools.
  • If interrupted, hear the full question first; clarify whether the investor is asking about a current fact, a plan, or fundraising terms.
  • Keep three categories distinct: completed, being validated, and planned after fundraising. Code and documentation do not mean customer value has been validated.
  • Explain the customer’s current alternatives; acknowledge that customers may continue building in-house or use existing APIs, and use evidence to show when buying Argus is more cost-effective.
  • For a question you cannot answer, say: “I can’t reliably confirm that figure today. I’ll check it against the correct definition after the meeting and send it by [TO FILL: date].” Do not make up a number on the spot.
  • Connect the use of funds to business outcomes: paid customers, retention, service costs, coverage, and quality; hiring is a means of achieving those outcomes.
  • Do not evade tight cash, concentration, authorization gaps, or IP issues; give their actual impact and the remediation plan.
  • Do not disparage other funds, show investor emails you are not authorized to share, or invent competing offers, commitments, or deadlines.
  • Ask about the investment process and portfolio conflicts; if an attendee is from a related portfolio company, reassess the scope of disclosure.
  • The first meeting can cover preferences on terms, but do not make an impromptu commitment to an exclusivity period, restructuring, a board seat, significant control rights, or signing documents; first obtain written terms and have the company’s authorized representative and advisors assess them.

The table can scroll horizontally. Focus it with the keyboard, then use the arrow keys to view it.

Judgment and Etiquette for a Founder’s Initial VC Contact · Expression that can cause trouble
Expression that can cause troubleMore measured response
We have no competitors.Existing APIs, in-house systems, search tools, and current data platforms are all alternatives; the advantage we plan to validate first is [TO FILL: advantage supported by evidence].
The data is 100% accurate and completely eliminates hallucinations.We return sources and quality information to support verification; data or source disclosures can still be wrong. Our evaluation result is [TO FILL: actual sample and result].
Being able to connect to MCP is our moat.MCP is an integration method; lasting value still needs to be demonstrated through accumulated capabilities in data processing, temporal semantics, quality control, and customer workflows.
We already comply with all financial regulations.Argus’s product boundary is factual services; applicable requirements still need to be assessed based on the actual service, data sources, jurisdictions, and usage. Product positioning alone is not enough to reach a conclusion.
The website is live, so commercialization is complete.The documentation and integration pages are in place; actual customers, production coverage, quality, and paid validation should each be described based on evidence.
SWC already likes us / has committed to invest.We are having an initial seed round discussion with SWC Global; there is no verified investment commitment yet.

Two sets of materials, for different uses

This page is an internal guide. The short external Deck should include only positioning, customer pain points, product, actual validation, market, business model, competition, team, and fundraising target. Do not place core secrets, negotiating floors, internal risk lists, or restricted customer materials in Deck notes, hidden slides, or attachments. Disclose material risks truthfully in an appropriate summary.

07

Post-meeting follow-up → Second meeting → Subsequent transaction

Post-meeting steps are not part of the 45 minutes; the following is a suggested way to proceed and does not represent a commitment or fixed timeline from SWC Global.

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Post-meeting follow-up → Second meeting → Subsequent transaction · Timing / sequence
Timing / sequenceActionDeliverable or decision
10 minutes after the meetingInternal debrief: What did the other party understand? What mattered most to them? Which answers lacked evidence? Were there any disclosure issues?Record attendees, actual interest status, the three main concerns, and an owner for each.
Within 24 hoursSend brief notes and the first-meeting materials; give a date for supplying evidence on questions that remain unconfirmed.Assign an owner and date to every action item and clarify the topic for the next meeting; do not send this guide.
No response by the agreed dateFollow up as agreed; if no date was agreed, you can send one brief reminder after about 5 business days.Provide meaningful new evidence or confirm whether to continue; do not repeatedly chase.
Willing to continueArrange a product / commercial deep dive around the other party’s main questions and coordinate with the relevant partners.Confirm the evaluation stage, recipients of materials, and request list.
More validation neededDefine validation metrics for payment, usage, quality, or licensing.Agree on an observation period and update date; until the metrics are met, do not describe the relationship as due diligence in progress.
Clearly not a fitAsk for the single most important reason and thank the other party.Stop pursuing without purpose; if they are willing, ask about a suitable introduction.
Controlled due diligenceVerify the actual fund / investment entity and grant tiered access to company, financial, commercial, IP, and technical materials.Set permissions, access logs, watermarks, and retention / revocation rules; obtain authorization before named customer interviews.
Term negotiationsDiscuss the instrument, valuation or cap, dilution, investment amount, rights, closing conditions, and costs.Compare the economic and control implications; do not assume every Term Sheet provision is nonbinding. Refer to the document and advisors’ input.
Signing and closingVerify company approval, investor identity, definitive agreements, conditions precedent, and payment route.Confirm completion based on definitive documents and actual receipt of funds; do not treat a signed expression of intent or verbal commitment as funds received.

Follow-up email draft for within 24 hours

Subject: Argus × SWC Global — Meeting notes and next steps

Hello [TO FILL: name], thank you for speaking with us today. We discussed Argus providing [TO FILL: core value] to [TO FILL: customer segment], and the [TO FILL: milestones] this round aims to validate. Your main questions were [TO FILL: concern 1] and [TO FILL: concern 2].

Suggested next steps: ① Novai to provide [TO FILL: redacted materials / evaluation summary] by [TO FILL: date]; ② SWC Global to have [TO FILL: owner, pending confirmation by the other party] confirm [TO FILL: participants / evaluation process]; ③ If both sides agree, schedule a second discussion on [TO FILL: topic] for [TO FILL: candidate date / time zone].

The short Deck for the first meeting is attached. The matter that remains unverified is [TO FILL: item]; we will follow up separately. Please let us know if we have misunderstood anything.

The table can scroll horizontally. Focus it with the keyboard, then use the arrow keys to view it.

Post-meeting follow-up → Second meeting → Subsequent transaction · Materials for the next stage
Materials for the next stageRecommended disclosure method
Company registration, equity, prior fundraising, board approvalsControlled documents after verifying recipients; the legal name should match the transaction entity.
Cash, historical revenue, budget, unit economicsStart with summaries, then provide supporting details; use consistent currency, periods, and definitions.
Customer contracts and referencesRedacted contracts → named references with authorization when needed → founder-coordinated interviews.
Argus IP, employment / contractor ownership, open-source licensesFirst explain the chain of ownership and any gaps; have the appropriate recipients review the relevant agreements. Do not assume code in a repository belongs to the company.
Data authorization, coverage, quality, production serviceExplain rights and restrictions source by source; distinguish production evidence from Demos / fixtures and observe third-party restrictions.
Technical reviewArchitecture summary and evaluation → on-site review with a limited scope / read-only materials; do not provide production credentials.
08

Sources, scope, and final checks

Public source verification date: 2026-10-02. The following supports public background and principles; the 45-minute agenda, question bank, and response guidance are recommendations for this meeting.

  1. S1
    SWC Global · Official profile and portfolio ↗

    Supports information about its headquarters and portfolio companies listed on its website; does not support claims about specific investment amounts, eligibility of a Hong Kong entity, or its level of interest in this meeting.

  2. S2
    Sequoia · Writing a Business Plan ↗

    Supports fundraising narrative topics such as company positioning, customer pain points, solution, timing, market, competition, business model, team, and financials.

  3. S3
    Hong Kong Intellectual Property Department · Trade Secrets ↗

    Supports a basic explanation of trade secrets and confidentiality obligations; does not replace legal advice for a specific transaction.

  4. S4
    Hong Kong Regional IP Trading Centre · Confidentiality Agreements ↗

    Supports the principle of protecting information before disclosing important confidential material and the reminder about patent novelty risks.

Project references

  • README.md: Product positioning, interfaces, and the boundary of factual services.
  • docs/contracts/data-package.md: Structured facts, sources, time, quality, permissions, and outputs; do not directly disclose internal storage URIs or restricted excerpts.
  • docs/governance/core-boundary.md and docs/governance/license-model.md: Governance mechanisms; software controls cannot replace actual third-party authorization.
  • docs/concepts/time-evidence-quality.md: Historical points in time, source conflicts, and quality labels do not guarantee accuracy.
  • markdown/requirements.md: Customer priorities and commercialization direction; use as planning guidance. If it conflicts with the current contract, follow the current implementation and authoritative documentation.

Final checks before the meeting

  • Every [TO FILL: ...] has a reliable answer or is clearly marked as unverified; the final Deck contains no unresolved placeholders.
  • The 18 core questions can be answered briefly; use search in the question bank during the meeting instead of reading every question aloud.
  • The 45-minute schedule has been rehearsed, and the main speaker can move to founder questions at minute 37.
  • The Demo and backup materials work, and all displayed data may be disclosed; synthetic or fixture samples are clearly labeled.
  • Customer logos, contacts, contracts, restricted data, and keys have all been checked; recording and AI assistant arrangements are clear.
  • The fundraising entity, IP, amount, currency, cash, and use-of-funds definitions are consistent.
  • The next-steps table has space for an owner, materials, and date; do not treat an initial discussion as an investment commitment.