Early-Stage Fundraising Tips: Securing Your First Rounds

"I would keep those... non-committals on your investor update distribution list."

• Regular updates keep investors informed of progress.
• Creating touchpoints can lead to future investment.
• Nurturing relationships pays off during fundraising.

"There is kind of a right way and a wrong way... There are some right ways and there's a lot of common patterns."

• Strong backgrounds can attract investors.
• A disciplined process enhances fundraising success.
• Combining both can maximize outcomes.

"We have a database of that... about 130,000 angels in Founder Suite."

• Use platforms and databases to find angels.
• LinkedIn is a valuable resource for discovering angels.
• Qualify angels based on industry and fit.

"It's really getting into the nuances of fundraising... You want to spend your time finding the believers."

• Not all investors will understand your business.
• Focus on those who share your vision.
• Don't waste time trying to convince skeptics.

"I even tell founders to do that... those first few pitches are probably gonna be a little rough."

• Early pitches help refine your messaging.
• Feedback from initial meetings can improve your pitch.
• Save top-choice investors for when you're more polished.

"Some of the founders that have done really well on our show are really religious and methodical about sending a monthly update about the business."

• Updates keep you top of mind with investors.
• Show progress over time to build interest.
• Include fundraising progress to create urgency.

"There's a hierarchy of intros... first is someone that's made that investor money in the past, right?"

• Warm intros from trusted sources get faster responses.
• Founders should prioritize connections who can vouch for them.
• Building relationships can open doors to key investors.

"I usually counsel the founders... to have at least 100, probably more like 200 or even 300 target investors."

• A larger list means more opportunities to find the right match.
• Fundraising is a numbers game, especially at early stages.
• Qualify investors based on fit to save time and effort.

"I find momentum is, it's really half the battle... momentum is what will get you around in a week, around in 2 weeks."

• Creating urgency prompts investors to act quickly.
• Packing meetings tightly signals high demand.
• Momentum can overcome investor hesitation.

"There's one Isabel Kenyon... she just ran it like a boss, right? That was one I remember being pretty exciting."

• Isabel Kenyon succeeded by strictly controlling the fundraising timeline.
• She created urgency among investors by offering limited access.
• A disciplined approach can enhance investor interest and speed up funding.