"Everyone is valuing growth right now," Menlo Ventures partner Matt Murphy says. But growth alone may not be enough to win over investors. Founders need to explain how their gross margins will improve, with specific steps and a timeline. They also need to show they understand their competitors and can explain what makes their business different. So what separates a compelling pitch from one that leaves investors unconvinced? At BI's Tech Insider Growth Mode event during San Francisco Tech Week 2026, chief correspondent Ben Bergman sat down with Murphy to discuss what founders need to get right to stand out to investors. #startups #founders #venturecapital #entrepreneurship #business