This study investigates the presence, direction, and scale of bias in investors’ consideration of qualitative information signals while appraising new venture proposals through a meta-analysis of 75 empirical studies published between 2000 and 2020. Our results suggest that investors evaluate different information signals differently owing to their varying abilities and motivations. High levels of ability and motivation stimulate elaboration, resulting in positive bias, whereas low levels of both ability and motivation reduce the likelihood of elaboration, resulting in negative bias. However, for lower levels of either ability or motivation, we found a mix of both positive and negative biases determined by the dominance of information cues. While considering the prospects of investment decisions, our results show that signals suggesting growth potential are preferred over those suggesting financial risk coverage. This study has substantial implications for investors to optimize their decision-making processes and enable entrepreneurs to understand investors’ appraisal processes.