How do I know if a VC meeting went badly?

Watch for no clear next step, repeated confusion, shallow questions, sudden time pressure, or a follow-up that asks for basics already covered.

Can I recover from a bad VC meeting?

Sometimes. Send a short follow-up that clarifies the misunderstood point and adds one useful proof item. Do not send a long defensive memo.

Change it only if the meeting revealed a real pattern or obvious confusion. One bad-fit investor is weak data; repeated confusion is strong data.

A VC meeting usually goes badly when the investor cannot follow the company logic, underwrite the proof, or see why the round matters now.