That flicker may also be the panic over not knowing what the word “besides” means. I have two angels who have been circling my company for some time, watching us grow as scheduled, and both keep asking that question, of which I always give one of your preferred answers (both have deep contacts with companies we’d like to have strategic relationships with, and one has subject expertise in one aspect of our product). At this point, it feels like the word “besides” no longer means “in addition to,” but rather, “instead of.”

Wording the question in a way that makes the former interpretation clear may result in better responses, taking the uncertainty out of it for the founders and giving them the freedom to share what they expect of their investors — people who will give them both money and the desired expertise.