Really dig into projects people have worked on and call references; that is another thing that first time founders like to skip.

Why now, why is this the perfect time for this particular idea, and to start this particular company?

Why couldn't it have been done 2 years ago, and why will 2 years in the future be too late?

A single mediocre hire in the first five will often in fact kill a startup.

The thing that kills startups at some level, is the founders giving up.

Most founders have not managed people before, and they certainly haven't managed managers.

A third advantage of mission oriented companies, is that people outside the company are more willing to help you.