If some VC’s are moving faster than others, you can DECELERATE the process with them to buy time with the others by:
* Asking for references
Have your VC give you the names of 3 CEO’s for you to call to diligence them. You should do this anyways, but schedule the meetings as far out as you can to buy yourself time with the others. To do this properly, you actually should cold diligence your VC with other CEO’s they did not give you the names of that they worked with. Ask the CEO’s what your VC’s strengths and weaknesses are, and any tips on managing and communicating with them as a board member. A good practice to do regardless.
* Asking your VC’s to speak to your advisors
Tell your VC you want them to speak with your advisors to get their approval of the VC. Have them speak with me, for example, and I can set the meeting up 1 week later to buy you a week.
* Just tell them others are in process, and in fairness, you need to let them run their process
This will give you 1 or 2 weeks. But most VC’s don’t like to feel like you are looking for other funds and not preferring them.