Key Take-Aways

Key Take-Aways

• Treat fundraising as a sales funnel with distinct stages requiring different approaches
• Start relationship-building with investors months before you need capital
• Prepare different versions of your pitch materials for different fundraising contexts
• Send regular investor updates that show growth and include specific asks
• Cold outreach works when personalized, targeted, and occasionally unconventional
• Don't over-optimize for valuation at the expense of securing good partners
• Focus on the metrics that truly demonstrate your product's market fit and growth potential
• Be transparent about challenges—honesty builds trust with investors

Remember: fundraising is not just about securing capital; it's about finding partners who will help you build a successful company. The relationships you build during this process often matter more than the terms on the term sheet.