#1 thing I look for is traction: people that obviously want to buy what you have to sell, as measured by them actually buying what you have to sell. If they have that, then I look at the size and interestingness of the market (I don't really care if you have traction as a consulting business, but if you have traction in an exciting consumer market, my e-mail address is in my profile). Then I'd meet the founders and other employees to see if its a good fit for me personally.
If you don't have traction, it's a much harder sell. In that case, the first thing I look for is the team. Are you someone I could hit it off with over drinks? Do you have deep expertise in your area of your startup? Are you driven by data or by dreams? Do you have a plan for how you're going to attack your market, or is it just "There must be riches out there somewhere"?
If you don't have traction, it's a much harder sell. In that case, the first thing I look for is the team. Are you someone I could hit it off with over drinks? Do you have deep expertise in your area of your startup? Are you driven by data or by dreams? Do you have a plan for how you're going to attack your market, or is it just "There must be riches out there somewhere"?