Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the emerging trend of "reverse investment models" where founders require due diligence fees from investors, reflecting a shift in power dynamics in the investment landscape [2][3][10]. Group 1: Investment Dynamics - Founders are increasingly demanding due diligence fees to filter out non-serious investors, as seen in a case where a founder requested a few thousand yuan for due diligence [2][3]. - The traditional one-sided nature of due diligence is changing, with founders recognizing their time and focus as more valuable than capital [3][10]. - The scarcity of quality projects in hot sectors has led to increased pressure on investors to conduct due diligence while managing risk [3][13]. Group 2: Challenges Faced by Founders - Founders often find themselves overwhelmed by the demands of multiple due diligence requests, which detracts from their focus on business operations [7][9]. - The current financing environment necessitates frequent small-scale fundraising rounds, consuming significant time and energy from founders [8][9]. - Many founders express frustration over the lack of meaningful outcomes from investor meetings, leading to a sense of wasted effort [9][20]. Group 3: Market Trends and Examples - The article highlights the case of Rewind, an AI startup that successfully implemented a reverse due diligence approach, attracting significant interest from over 1,000 VCs [24][25]. - The success of Rewind was attributed to its strong market position and impressive performance metrics, which allowed it to dictate terms in the fundraising process [25][26]. - The article notes that while some companies can leverage reverse due diligence, many others still face challenges in a competitive market [26][27]. Group 4: Future Outlook - The evolving dynamics between investors and founders suggest a need for both parties to find common ground to create a healthier investment ecosystem [29][30]. - The article emphasizes that both "just looking" by investors and "reverse due diligence" by founders are valid strategies in the current market context [27][28].