Art of VC Fundraising

Startup and VC Fundraising tips from founders and investors that have raised $700MM+ over the last 5+ years.

[Art of VC Fundraising @fundraisetips]

Founders - raising VC money for your startup?

**This account exists to demystify the process of raising from VCs**

Our goal is to GET YOU FUNDED OR CLOSER TO IT.

Insights and tips from founders and investors who have deployed/raised $700MM+ over the last 5+ years.

[Art of VC Fundraising @fundraisetips]

Undervalued:

- send a product demo link with your deck
- add recorded sales calls in your data room if positive

Make it EASIER for investors to get excited about how great you’re building / selling

[Art of VC Fundraising @fundraisetips]

Finding a founder who is one or two rounds ahead of you, and has just closed a round is the biggest cheat code in raising money.

You’re not supposed to have done this before. Find people who have and get them involved.

Founders love helping other founders.

#payitforward

[Art of VC Fundraising @fundraisetips]

New week, new chance to make that call, close that hire/sale, ship that feature, raise that $$.

You got this.

[Art of VC Fundraising @fundraisetips]

1/ When VCs say that they invest in early-stage companies, go deeper. Early-stage can mean 1 or all 👇

- Pre-seed (literally nothing)
- Seed (literally nothing to maybe an MVP live with rev/users)
- Series A (literally nothing to maybe millions in revenue with live product)

[Art of VC Fundraising @fundraisetips]

Want a detailed list of 2000+ VCs, categorized by fund stage, geo, and industry focus, including emails (as available)?

1. Like and Retweet
2. Comment "Send"

3. Follow and DM "Send"

Let's get you funded!

#startups #founder #fundraising #VentureCapital #VC #founders #startup

[Art of VC Fundraising @fundraisetips]

What is the best piece of startup/investor content you read, watched, listened to this week?

[Art of VC Fundraising @fundraisetips]

🔥🚀 Top 5 lessons for founders navigating today's VC fundraising market! 💸💼

1️⃣ Be prepared - do your homework 📚
2️⃣ Build a rockstar team - strong talent wins 🌟
3️⃣ Tell a compelling story 📖
4️⃣ Network, network, network - connections matter 🔗
5️⃣ Stay agile, adapt, grow 🌱

[Art of VC Fundraising @fundraisetips]

Founders - if you’re finishing the week today, finish strong.

[Art of VC Fundraising @fundraisetips]

Dilution % to expect when raising VC by round:

Pre-seed - 20-25%
Seed - 20-25%
Series A - 20-25%
Series B - 15-20%
Series C - 10-15%
Series D and beyond - 5-10%

*assumes a deal with positive metrics and story going into the fundraise. These can flex ☝️👇 on a # of factors.

#VC

[Art of VC Fundraising @fundraisetips]

We've pulled a list of the top 100 VC investors by industry over the last 4 years for Seed and Series A.

Let’s get your fundraise started on the right path. I'll send to you.

1. Like and Retweet
2. Comment “Send”
3. Follow, so I can keep providing the support you need

#VC

[Art of VC Fundraising @fundraisetips]

Great VC List Resources:
https://t.co/o6VefBKGw9
https://t.co/qNlHANzdfP
https://t.co/oxOna9Hb1U
https://t.co/LD8QdrIfr5
https://t.co/3Nnxad7G4q
https://t.co/c8KQLefRLN

@tryramp @mercury @OpenVC_ @NFX @firstround @VisibleVC

[Art of VC Fundraising @fundraisetips]

During fundraising, if you have a great story, you will get investors to invest.

All private fundraising is at least 50% story.

Even founders who IPO - public roadshow is at least 50% story.

The audience changes, the skillset necessary doesn't - STORYTELLING

[Art of VC Fundraising @fundraisetips]

Day off, unplugged

Casual morning, few hours of work in the afternoon

Half day on/off

+ preparing for the week ahead (morning/noon/night)

What's your Sunday routine?

[Art of VC Fundraising @fundraisetips]

Want to start a VC-backed company, get $1-5m in VC funding and only talk to 1 fund?

Let’s talk about EIR (entrepreneur-in-residence) programs - what they are and what to watch out for

🧵👇

[Art of VC Fundraising @fundraisetips]

Fundraising takes TIME:

- 30 days to prep for a fundraise (min)
- 30-90 days to get a lead TS (avg)
- 30 days to close and receive wire (avg)

3 months min - 4-6 months more realistic start to finish.

Plan accordingly with burn and timing.

#VC #founder #startups #founders

[Art of VC Fundraising @fundraisetips]

It's never easy, even if you've been a VC yourself. Content like this helps founders get ahead.

[Art of VC Fundraising @fundraisetips]

On the other side, a lower valuation means you can get the money faster, but it also means you have less runway to work with.

Our advice: Don’t spend time on valuation. Focus on getting the money you need, and doing so quickly.

[Art of VC Fundraising @fundraisetips]

Wrong: focusing on why your competition is terrible / stupid

Right: why your company is unique/better than competitors, and what your competition may be doing that's right

[Art of VC Fundraising @fundraisetips]

A difficult fundraising environment is an opportunity to refocus.

“How could we go farther with less?”
“What is not critical to our #1 goal that is taking our attention?”

This time can be thought of a a gift / chance to reinvent if used properly.

You got this. 🚀

#VC

[Art of VC Fundraising @fundraisetips]

Your team matters, especially at the earliest stages.

- Pedigree (unfortunately)
- Track record of success / prior exp.
- Known Capabilities

Advisors, contractors don't make your company "more attractive" if you don't have the core team that can do what you need.

#VC #founders