This post is NOT aimed only towards Machine Learning (ML) experts that run a Tech DD on a startup for a Venture Capital (VC). If you are a Data Scientist, ML Engineer or a Researcher considering joining an existing ML team at any company, you should read this post to gauge the level of the ML foundations and take a decision that matches your career goals. — In recent years, VCs turn to me for running DD on startups that heavily rely on Machine Learning in their “claim to fame”. The goal of the DD is to estimate the depth of the ML technology and the team’s capability to deliver their “claim”, and win the “fame”.