For founders
Things I've learned from six years of raising money for founders by hand. Mostly for first-time founders.
- 01
Pitch fewer investors, better. Ten who fit you beat a hundred who don't.
- 02
A generic email is a no you sent yourself.
- 03
Before you write to an investor, know in one sentence why they should care about you.
- 04
You are not asking for a favour. You are bringing an investor deal flow.
- 05
Most founders send one email and stop. Follow up, patiently, more than once.
- 06
Never give away equity for an introduction.
- 07
Fundraising is a process, not an event. Run it like sales: a list, a pipeline and a follow-up schedule.
- 08
Your deck is not your company. Fix the company first, then the deck.
- 09
Raise when you can show progress, not when you run out of money.
- 10
Every no is data. Ask what would have made it a yes.
- 11
Hope is not a strategy. Neither is your network alone.
- 12
Keep your agency. Advisors can help, but no one else should own your raise.
If you're raising your first round, FirstCheq does much of this work with you.