Late reports and unclear metrics quietly erode investor confidence. By the time investors ask for "clarifications," trust is already slipping. Here's how to avoid the credibility gaps that damage fundraising potential. The Problem: Even well-intentioned founders lose credibility through small inconsistencies. A classic blind spot appears in gross margins. Many startups proudly report top-line growth but gloss over declining margins. To seasoned investors, this reads as avoidance, not optimism. Another trust killer: presenting projections without showing how assumptions are updated monthly or quarterly. Credibility lives in the "why," not just the "what."