The leading emerging growth company attorneys, accountants, bankers and the like know the local venture capital players cold. They will be glad to steer you toward the good guys and away from the bad. Listen to your heart. Foremost among the comfortabilities we seek is comfortability with the team. You should feel the same way about an investor, and usually right from the start.
Good chemistry is critically important.
You are about to embark on a long journey together. Talk to your peers. This is by the far the most important step of the three. Given the challenges and exigencies of turning dreams, blood, sweat, tears, and money into market leaders, you should not be surprised to hear a story or two which gives you pause. If you do, you can be assured that your prospective outside partner is not a vulture capitalist.