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If you’ve just raised a seed or series A, here are a few things you can do to make sure that capital is going to good use.

If you’ve just raised a seed or series A, here are a few things you can do to make sure that capital is going to good use.

It's hard out there for a seed. Even still, for all the founders I talk with, it has become ever so clear that having a tight process—where you constrict your fundraising to a short period of pitching stacked on pitching—is ever more important. It's not even that having a tight process will make it more likely for you to raise a seed round—maybe it will, maybe it won't. But what having a tight process will assuredly do is allow you to know what the VC market thinks about your business...as fast as humanly possible. The faster you know that, the better. Because it allows you to move your business forward sooner rather than later—whether that be with VC money, or without it. The only thing worse than not raising the seed round you were hoping for is taking entirely too long to conclude that you're not going to be able to raise the seed round you were hoping for. https://lnkd.in/eKpY7aKT

Discover what makes a compelling fundraising story! 🌟 In our latest article, Craig shares his insights on how to craft a narrative that not only captivates investors but also fuels your startup’s growth. From understanding your audience to highlighting your unique value proposition, learn the key elements that make your story stand out and attract the right kind of attention and investment. Don’t miss out on these expert tips to elevate your fundraising game! Read more: https://lnkd.in/gVQAk2HM 🚀📈 #Fundraising #StartupSuccess #AcceleratingAsiaVentures

Regarding the celebrity founders raising funds even after wasting investors money in their earlier failed startups: There is a difference between 1. not penalizing the failure, 2. seeing it as a learning, 3. encouraging it and 4. outright rewarding it. If VCs are too lenient, it will create what is called "moral hazard" in economics. Once funded, the founders have no reason to be careful if they know that their performance is not going to affect the future fundraising.

Is the obsessive quest to raise funds justified or just a fad? 🏦 When considered at a critical turning point, raising capital remains a unique growth booster, enabling #startups to achieve rapid expansion, provided that the capital raising is part of a bold, broader strategy for growth. Uncover the method that tells you when and how to launch a fundraising campaign: https://lnkd.in/gCFKdM6F #StartupCulture #EntrepreneurLife #Innovation #StartupReality #TechEcosystem #BusinessInsights #Advisory

Swell VC, a New York City-based firm, demonstrates that dedication and hard work are essential for new managers to succeed, emphasizing the importance of the entrepreneurs behind companies rather than solely the industries they operate in. Read the story here to learn more: https://okt.to/X4w1Tn #VCJ #VentureCapital #EmergingManagers #Fundraising #NorthAmerica

In early-stage fundraising, the final part of the pitch is often the one founders dread the most: naming their raise amount. One reason for this, if we're being honest, is that most early-stage companies don’t know exactly how they’ll use every dollar of their funds. The other reason is that it tends to end the pitch on a cold note. No one likes to ask for money, and no one, not even VCs, likes being asked for it. So, how can you avoid making a direct, uncomfortable ask? Instead, ask for interest and incorporate your raise as part of the conversation. Before covering your GTM strategy and business model, pause and ask the investor: “If everything I’ve shared so far resonates, and you’re interested in how we plan to allocate the $4.5M Series A investment, I’d love to walk you through our plan for scaling the company.” Let them nod or verbally confirm: "Yes, I’m interested." This approach not only avoids a direct ask and its associated awkwardness, but it also employs a communication technique proven to increase engagement. Interested in learning more? Let’s chat! #fundraising #vc #seed #startup #pitchdeck #storytelling

Learn how investors can go beyond providing money in plugin.fm’s new episode. Joost de Valk, founder of Yoast SEO and co-founder of Emilia Capital, discusses the unique insights and skills investors bring to startups, offering valuable perspectives from both sides of the table. Find out how their expertise can elevate the success of your company. https://bit.ly/4aUkmT5 #bootstrapping #joostdevalk #startupfunding

It is almost August, so here are my top tips for raising a funding round during summer! 1. Focus on your current investors rather than new investors. It is much easier to raise from people who already have all the context, even if they are busy taking a summer break! 2. Maintain sending good investors updates even if you think people may not read them. Not only is this a good habit but when you do get an investor on a call, you can give them the current update and then go back and ask them to read the previous update, saving you precious time on your pitch. 3. If someone doesn’t respond for a week during summer, they are likely away but have not set an out of office. Don’t keep chasing, just wait until September! #fundraising #startups #money