25 Founder Networking Conversation Starters

A video call with a stranger can start fast and then go quiet. You've said hello, you've said what you do, and now you're both thinking of the next thing to say. A few good questions fix that.

Here is a simple format for a five-minute founder call, and 25 conversation starters you can use. Pick three or four that sound like you, and keep the rest for later.

A simple 5-minute format

1. Minute 1: say who you are in one sentence. "I'm Priya. I run a small studio that builds booking tools for clinics."
2. Minutes 2 and 3: ask about them. Let them talk. Ask one follow-up question for each answer.
3. Minute 4: swap one challenge each. Share something you're really working on, not a polished story.
4. Minute 5: agree on a next step. A link, an intro, a follow-up message, or nothing at all. That's fine too.

If you only remember one thing, remember this: be curious before you're interesting.

Openers (to break the ice)

1. What are you building right now?
2. How did you end up starting this?
3. What does your week look like at the moment?
4. What's the most interesting thing that happened to you this month?
5. Who is your typical customer, in one sentence?
6. Where in the world are you, and what time is it there?

About their business

1. What problem did you see that others missed?
2. How did you win your first customer?
3. What do you do that is hard for others to copy?
4. What do customers say when they describe you to a friend?
5. What's one thing you'd do differently if you started again?
6. What are you proudest of so far?

About challenges

1. What is the hardest thing you're working on this month?
2. What decision have you been putting off?
3. Where do you feel stuck, and what have you tried so far?
4. What part of the business do you wish you could hand to someone else?
5. What's something you're learning that no one told you about?

For honest feedback

1. Can I show you something quickly and get your first impression?
2. What do you think this does, before I explain it?
3. What would stop you from using something like this?
4. If you were me, what would you try next?

For more on getting useful answers, see how to get honest startup feedback from other founders.

To end the call well

1. What would be most useful for you in the next 30 days?
2. Is there someone I could introduce you to?
3. Can I send you the link we talked about?
4. Is it okay if I follow up in a couple of weeks?

What to avoid

• Pitching in the first minute. You can tell about your product, but ask about theirs first.
• Asking for an investor intro right away. Earn it with a real conversation first.
• Talking more than half of the time. If you're past two minutes of speaking, ask a question.
• Looking at other screens. People can tell. Close the other tabs.
• Forcing a follow-up. If it's not a fit, say a warm goodbye and move on.

A follow-up message you can copy

Hi Marcus, great talking with you today. I liked what you said about winning your first customers through partners. Here's the link I mentioned: [link]. If you're open to it, I'd love to check in again in a few weeks and hear how it went.

Short, specific, and with a reason to reply. Send it within two days, while the conversation is still fresh.

Where to use these

These work on any call, whether it's a planned meeting or a random one. If you want to practice with real founders, Founderhop puts you on live 1-on-1 video with a verified founder in seconds. Or see our list of eight ways to meet other founders online.

Frequently asked questions

How do I start a conversation with a founder I've never met?

Say who you are in one sentence, then ask what they are building right now. It's easy to answer, it shows interest, and it leads to natural follow-up questions.

What if there's an awkward silence?

Have two backup questions ready, such as "What is the hardest thing you're working on this month?" or "What would you do differently if you started again?" A short silence is normal, so give the other person a moment to think.

How long should a networking video call be?

For a first, random call, five to ten minutes is plenty. For a planned call with someone you want to know better, fifteen to thirty minutes works well. End when the energy is still high.

Should I talk about my product on a first call?

A little, yes. One or two sentences is enough. Spend most of the time learning about the other person, and share more when they ask.