Back-channel reference

A reference conversation with someone who knows a person but was not suggested by them.

Example

Speaking to a founder's former direct report found through a mutual contact.

Important

Look for patterns across several references, and protect the person's confidentiality.

Related terms

  • Reference check — A conversation with a customer, supplier, former employee or prior counterparty who has no stake in whether the transaction completes.
  • Selection bias — Any situation where the sample in front of you was not assembled in a way that represents the whole population, so conclusions drawn from it do not generalise.

Lessons that explain it

  • The references you find yourself are the ones that matter — Back-channel references come from people who worked with a founder but were not suggested by them. Structured, careful conversations with them reveal patterns that curated references cannot. (10 min)

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