The fact that name dropping is a bad idea should go without saying, but some entrepreneurs have proven the need for this post.

When you are presenting your business idea it's a bad idea to rely too heavily on the opinions that big name people will validate the quality of your business. In other words, don't expect to sell the merits of your idea simply based on the opinion of a third party. Statements like "Bill Gates loves what I'm doing" are not very effective for a few reasons:

1. It raises questions about why Bill isn't backing you,
2. It sounds like a petty attempt to cover up the weaknesses of your
   plan, and
3. It sounds tacky, making people think that you are bad to be around.

That said having the support of industry experts is a relevant factor for VCs to know. However instead of demonstrating this through a quote, get them to join your advisory board or invest in your company. That's a real sign of faith.

Focus on explaining the merits of your business - those factors will peak louder than any names you can drop.