{"id":330,"date":"2024-06-25T21:38:22","date_gmt":"2024-06-26T01:38:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/web.colby.edu\/halloran-lab-learning\/?post_type=ht_kb&#038;p=330"},"modified":"2024-08-17T14:06:36","modified_gmt":"2024-08-17T18:06:36","slug":"fundraising-2","status":"publish","type":"ht_kb","link":"https:\/\/web.colby.edu\/halloran-lab-learning\/knowledge-base\/fundraising-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Fundraising"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key Questions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Do I really need to raise funding?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>When is the best time to raise?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How much should I raise?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What are the potential sources of funding?&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How do I raise funding?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How long will it take?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How do I make my startup as attractive as possible to investors?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How do I meet investors?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How do I maximize the best terms?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How selective should I be in my investors?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How do I evaluate potential investors?&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What if I try but can\u2019t raise any funding?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Start Here<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Paul Graham : <a href=\"https:\/\/www.paulgraham.com\/fr.html\">How to Raise Money<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>(40 min read.) Paul offers advice to startups considering growth funding. Along with providing multiple tips for success, he cautions founders about the danger of overcomplicating the process or allowing investors to do so. He advises startups to avoid investors until they decide to raise money, and once they decide to go ahead, talk to all investors in parallel, prioritize by expected value, and take acceptable offers. Graham notes that fundraising is merely a means to an end, so founders\u2019 primary goal should be to get it over with and get back to what will make their companies successful: creating products and talking to users.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Michael Seibel : <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=lw2X3PxKlAY\">How to Perfectly Pitch Your Seed Stage Startup<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>(29 min video.) In this video Seibel shares invaluable insights on pitching strategies for seed-stage startups aiming to secure funding. He emphasizes the significance of effectively pitching to investors, drawing from his experience at Y Combinator. He highlights the pivotal role of pitch presentations in fundraising success, acknowledging the challenges founders face when investors reject their proposals. Throughout the video, Seibel offers practical advice and techniques tailored to seed-stage startups, providing guidance on crafting compelling pitches that resonate with investors and increase the likelihood of securing funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Maximilian Fleitmann: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=4jRzAsCBIVY\">Startup Fundraising Terms Explained<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>(8 min video) Fleitmann&#8217;s video provides an insightful introduction to key fundraising terms necessary for startup founders. He shares his initial struggles with complex investment terminology during his startup&#8217;s early fundraising stages. The video simplifies essential terms such as &#8220;runway,&#8221; which describes the duration a startup can operate before needing additional funds, and &#8220;term sheet,&#8221; a document outlining potential investment terms. Additionally, concepts like &#8220;burn rate,&#8221; &#8220;due diligence,&#8221; and &#8220;dilution&#8221; are explained to help founders understand the financial dynamics of raising capital. Fleitmann emphasizes the importance of understanding these terms to effectively navigate the fundraising process and secure the necessary investments for growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Learn More<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Paul Graham : <a href=\"https:\/\/www.paulgraham.com\/convince.html\">How to Convince Investors<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>(14 min read.) Paul outlines the most common mistakes inexperienced founders make and the three things a startup needs to make investors think it will be a huge success: formidable founders (meaning they seem like people who will get what they want regardless of the obstacles in their way), a promising market, and (usually) some evidence of success so far. According to Graham, founders who can\u2019t come across as formidable should focus on making something worth investing in, understanding why it&#8217;s worth investing in, and explaining that clearly to investors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">John Danner: <a href=\"https:\/\/johnwdanner.medium.com\/you-only-need-two-investors-9593dd580a62\">You Only Need Two Investors<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>(4 min read.) John argues that startup founders only need two investors: one seed investor to help them find their product-market fit and one venture investor to help them scale by hiring the right people, paying attention to the right metrics, building the right culture, and making good decisions. He points out that many founders assume all investors are created equal and none of them add value, so they focus on optimizing for cash, valuation, and social proof. According to John, the most important thing for a startup going into Series A is to be intentional about finding the partner who can help it.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Reid Hoffman : <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=ysz1xLMd37Y&amp;t=728s\">How to Raise VC Money<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>(33 min video.) Reid offers insights into how startups can succeed at raising money, listing as a key condition an introduction from a trusted and respected party. He also highlights the importance of either having a seriously unique product\/service or a sufficiently convincing argument as to why a given product\/service will be the one to break through. Reid further notes that a startup\u2019s chances of raising money increase dramatically if its founder(s) can convince investors that they understand the game in front of them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Steve Blank : <a href=\"https:\/\/marker.medium.com\/how-to-raise-money-its-a-journey-not-an-event-57958df553de\">How to Raise Venture Capital for Your Startup, From Pre-seed to Series A<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>(12 min read.) Steve offers startups an extensive guide on raising capital, driving home the point that every stage of funding requires a different set of metrics, milestones, and founder skills. He notes the importance of having a killer pitch and lists the five things investors want to know about (team, product, traction, business model, and market), then goes on to explain what these elements look like at every stage.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Steve Blank : <a href=\"https:\/\/medium.com\/@sgblank\/how-to-convince-investors-youre-the-future-not-the-past-8c319ec4709e\">How to Convince Investors You\u2019re the Future Not the Past<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>(6 min read.) Steve shares the advice he gave to two of his students who had an amazing startup idea but struggled to attract investors because they were targeting a market segment full of failures. Steve notes that convincing investors an idea will work where many similar ones have failed requires that founders make it clear they have figured out how to solve the problems that killed previous startups in the space. To win over leery investors, founders need to educate themselves about previous market entrants, the reasons those failed, the evolution of the market\/technology\/customers, and the other players in the space or adjacent markets.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Melanie Perkins : <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=xE1i6t0uH-s\">Melanie Perkins of Canva on Fundraising<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>(3 min video.) In this video Melanie shares insights into their unconventional fundraising methods, having secured over $300M for Canva. She discusses the unexpected benefits of not having a lead investor but a bigger pool of investors with varying amounts of investments and how that helped them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tracy Young : <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/live\/mlfqx05U8tA?si=Fd9lZ3VN26A0pPEa&amp;t=2227\">Tracy Young\u2019s Advice on Fundraising for Women Founders<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>(50 min video.) In this video Young emphasizes the importance of not dwelling on gender biases when fundraising. She acknowledges the discouraging statistics but advises focusing on the business, the problem being solved, and the value offered. Assume investors will judge the business on its merits rather than gender. Young and her co-founder, despite many rejections, found believers who funded their startup. She suggests either being fully in fundraising mode or completely out, time-boxing the process, and casting a wide net to improve pitches and increase chances of success. Recognize and move on from investors who do not give immediate term sheets, using rejections as motivation to prove them wrong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ben Horowitz: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=FYGbYX5IJ5c\">When and From Who to Raise Money From<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>(3 min video.) Horowitz, in this video, discusses the intricacies of fundraising, focusing on how much capital to raise and from whom. He advises entrepreneurs to consider potential difficulties rather than just optimistic scenarios. Horowitz highlights the volatility of capital markets, emphasizing that valuations can drastically change within short periods. He illustrates this with his experience of raising funds at a high valuation in mid-2000, only to find the private markets shut by the end of the year despite strong company performance. When raising funds, he suggests planning for worse capital market conditions in subsequent rounds. The quality of investors is crucial; the best investors are those who can see through external market troubles and other VCs\u2019 opinions, providing stability during tough times. Horowitz humorously concludes with the analogy of VCs as a mix of sheep and lemmings, emphasizing the challenge of finding independent-thinking investors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Hiten Shah: <a href=\"https:\/\/hitenism.com\/mistakes-founders-make-raising-money\/\">The Five Most Critical Mistakes Founders Make When Raising Money<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>(7 min read.) Shah highlights five critical mistakes that founders commonly make when raising money. First, using pitch deck templates can hinder funding as they lack personalization and storytelling. Second, sending your deck to investors before it&#8217;s ready can damage your chances due to premature, widespread exposure. Third, lacking an investor outreach strategy leads to mismatched pitches and wasted opportunities. Fourth, relying on contradictory fundraising advice from various sources can result in fragmented stories and poor decisions. Lastly, making up aspects of your business to please investors can cause long-term damage to your reputation and future fundraising efforts. Shah advocates for tailored, well-prepared pitches and strategic outreach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Dharmesh Shah: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=O-6mNejtprI\">Founders Need to Know This Before They Raise Venture Capital<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>(5 min video.) Shah provides practical advice for founders on raising venture capital, emphasizing that VCs are essentially a product that may not always fit a founder&#8217;s needs. Shah explains that VCs seek either breakout success or failure but are not interested in moderate success. He advises founders to be prepared for numerous rejections as VCs evaluate hundreds of potential investments annually but only select a few. Shah highlights the importance of prioritizing customer needs over investor demands early on. He warns against &#8220;misguided maybes,&#8221; where VCs avoid giving a clear rejection to maintain optionality, often leading to wasted effort and time for founders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Nick Raushenbush: <a href=\"https:\/\/medium.com\/@nickraushenbush\/how-to-run-a-strategic-seed-round-process-d10ca5f4302f\">How to Run a Strategic Seed Round Process<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>(10 min read.) Raushenbush&#8217;s article offers a detailed guide on strategically running a seed round using SAFE notes to expedite closing. He outlines a three-tranche strategy to escalate the cap, beginning with angel investors, then micro VC\/small funds, and finally VC firms. Raushenbush emphasizes the importance of creating a long list of potential investors, engaging them without directly pitching, and leveraging escalating caps to drive investment pressure. He advises setting decision deadlines, avoiding cap reductions, and not overvaluing the company to ensure smooth progression to Series A. Raushenbush also highlights the value of pre-traction validation and the benefits of bootstrapping or joining accelerators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">AirBnB: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.slideshare.net\/slideshow\/airbnb-first-pitch-deck-editable\/45768374\">Original AirBnB Pitch Deck<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>(10 slides.)&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Delian Asparouhov: <a href=\"https:\/\/medium.com\/@zebulgar\/how-to-raise-money-before-launch-a3544ef4dba6\">How to Raise Money Before Launch<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>(6 min read.) Asparouhov outlines strategies for raising capital before a company&#8217;s product launch, emphasizing the critical role of a well-crafted seed deck. Founders should present a compelling story, starting with a clear value proposition on the first slide. Each slide should advance the narrative, focusing on what problem the startup solves and how it improves the current situation. Asparouhov advises against relying on past credentials alone; instead, founders should demonstrate why they are uniquely positioned to address the problem. Key to this process is conveying how initial funding will help overcome specific risks and achieve early milestones, setting the stage for future success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Cameron Hagen &amp; Jeremy Glaser: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mintzedge.com\/blog\/crowdfunding-considerations-for-early-stage-companies\">Crowdfunding Considerations for Early Stage Companies<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>(7 min read.) Hagen and Glaser explore the expanded Regulation Crowdfunding (Regulation CF), highlighting its benefits and challenges for startups. They detail the SEC&#8217;s increased investment caps and the simplification of investor restrictions, noting the practical aspects of engaging in crowdfunding. The authors caution about the potential drawbacks, such as ongoing disclosure requirements and the complexities of managing a broad investor base, which might deter future institutional investors. They recommend careful consideration of crowdfunding against other capital-raising alternatives, tailored to a company&#8217;s specific needs and growth stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Jason Miller: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mintzedge.com\/blog\/seed-funding-basics\">Seed Funding Basics<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>(13 min read.) Miller discusses the nuances of seed funding, emphasizing its distinction from venture capital, particularly in early investment stages. He outlines the different instruments used for seed funding, including Series Seed Preferred Stock, convertible promissory notes, and Simple Agreements for Future Equity (SAFEs), highlighting their respective features and conversion mechanisms. The article guides startups on selecting the appropriate seed funding instrument based on their specific financial needs and investor types, advising careful consideration of each option&#8217;s implications on future financing and company valuation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ryan Floyd: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mintzedge.com\/blog\/mintzedge-101-negotiating-your-venture-term-sheet-ryan-floyd-storm-ventures\">Negotiating Your Venture Term Sheet<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>(26 min podcast.) In this podcast, Floyd goes into the intricacies of investor-founder dynamics, emphasizing trust and understanding in negotiations. He highlights the importance of vesting terms, particularly in safeguarding against unexpected departures. Floyd advises founders on revesting shares cautiously, stressing the need for protective measures against potential investor misconduct. Additionally, he discusses pro rata rights, acknowledging their value but warning against their potential to strain investor-founder relationships. Ultimately, he encourages open dialogue between founders and investors to navigate these complex terms effectively, ensuring equitable outcomes for all parties involved in early-stage ventures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Impact Terms: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.impactterms.org\/revenue-based-finance\/\">Revenue Based Finance<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>(12 min read.) This article discusses Revenue Based Finance (RBF), a contingent payment investment structure where the investor&#8217;s return is tied to the financial performance of the issuer, typically measured by revenue. RBF can utilize various financial entries, with common structures including Demand Dividends and Royalty Financing. These arrangements are designed to cease payments once the investor achieves a predetermined return, making RBF appealing for aligning company performance with investor returns. The article also elaborates on how the finance method is especially useful for companies seeking alternative exit strategies when traditional financial structures are inadequate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Maximilian Fleitmann: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=S9OOSQBWONs\">How to Build a Startup Pitch Deck in 2024<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>(9 min video.) In this video, Fleitmann outlines the essential components of a compelling pitch deck for startups aiming to attract investor funding in 2024. He emphasizes the significance of starting with a strong title slide to capture immediate interest and follows with detailed guidance on constructing other vital slides: Problem, Solution &amp; Product, Business Model, Market, Competition, Team, Traction, Financials, and the Ask. Each slide is crafted to articulate distinct aspects of the business, from identifying market gaps to detailing the financial forecasts. Fleitmann stresses the importance of clarity and engagement in the presentation to effectively communicate the startup&#8217;s value proposition and potential for growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Maximilian Fleitmann: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=kf1qn6JYy78\">What is a cap table? &#8211; Overview + Example<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>(11 min video.) Fleitmann explains the importance of a cap table for startups, detailing its function as a list that tracks equity ownership among founders, investors, and employees. He demonstrates how to set up a basic cap table using a free downloadable template, highlighting its utility in managing and visualizing equity distribution as a company grows and takes on new investments. The tutorial covers the evolution of ownership through funding rounds and the significance of different share types like common and preferred shares, emphasizing how terms like anti-dilution clauses and liquidation preferences protect investors. Fleitmann concludes by stressing the cap table&#8217;s role in strategic financial planning and decision-making.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Elad Gil: <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.eladgil.com\/p\/7-types-of-angel-investors-what-is\">The 7 Types of Angel Investors &#8211; What Is Right for Your Startup?<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>(4 min read.) In this article, Gil categorizes seven types of angel investors beneficial for startups: Connectors, with extensive networks; Product People, offering deep product insights; Tacticians &amp; Builders, providing practical support and introductions; Smart Business People, advising on business strategies; Domain Experts, with industry-specific knowledge; The Brand, adding prestige but potentially offering limited practical advice; and The Filler (Dumb Money), who contribute funds but not much else. Gil stresses the importance of rigorous due diligence when selecting investors, likening the impact of an investor on a startup to the lasting influence of a close family member.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Elad Gil: <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.eladgil.com\/p\/party-rounds-how-to-get-high-valuation\">Party Rounds: How to Get a High Valuation for Your Seed Startup<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>(3 min read.) Here, Gil explains the shift from traditional led seed rounds to &#8220;Party Rounds&#8221; in startup financing. In led rounds, a single investor sets the terms and possibly takes a board seat, representing all investors. Conversely, in Party Rounds, the entrepreneur sets the terms by initially securing smaller, less influential investors, which often results in higher valuations due to the dispersed negotiation power. Party Rounds allow entrepreneurs to dictate more favorable terms and potentially secure a higher total investment, as prominent angels and investors are less likely to negotiate aggressively once initial funding is committed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Will Perkins &amp; Phil Gager: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mintzedge.com\/blog\/venture-debt-101-a-discussion-of-the-basics-and-key-considerations\">Venture Debt 101: A Discussion of the Basics and Key Considerations<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>(26 min podcast.) In this episode Perkins and Gager explore the nuances of venture debt, a financing option for startups, particularly in technology and life sciences. They discuss its evolution from equipment leasing to a vital funding source based on investor support rather than physical assets. The episode covers appropriate candidates for venture debt, its primary uses, typical terms, and strategic advantages such as extending cash runway. They also detail the management of venture debt, including interest rates, warrants, and repayment, providing startups with a comprehensive guide to this financial tool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Legal Nodes: <a href=\"https:\/\/legalnodes.com\/article\/safe-convertible-note-investment-agreement\">How to Structure Early-Stage Startup-Fundraising (Safe\/Convertible Note vs Investment Agreements)<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>(15 min read.) This article explains how early-stage startups can structure their fundraising, comparing two main methods: Convertible Instruments (SAFE and Convertible Notes) and Investment Agreements. Convertible Instruments offer a faster and simpler approach, ideal for pre-seed and seed rounds, while Investment Agreements are more complex and detailed, suitable for later stages with higher investor expectations. The article highlights the advantages and disadvantages of each method, emphasizing that choosing the right approach depends on the startup&#8217;s stage and specific needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Marc Andreessen: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=NEOR0AJsziE&amp;t=865s\">How Do You Know if an Investor Is Good?<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>(33 min video.) Marc shares insights on his venture capital firm a16z, emphasizing the importance of a strong network and empowering founders to operate like professional CEOs. He outlines a rigorous startup evaluation process involving multiple meetings, a formal pitch to the full partnership, and thorough reference checks. He emphasizes the importance of reference checks in hiring and highlights the value of strong pitching skills, applicable beyond fundraising. Marc stresses that success in the startup world requires hard work and dedication, advising founders to identify key problems their company solves and the potential for long-term success, even in crowded markets. He identifies key areas of growth for the startup ecosystem in the future, including healthcare, autonomous vehicles, and artificial intelligence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Marc Andreessen: <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/0JBOSmRo8js?si=ovh8UO8vwJGUjCLa&amp;t=628\">How to Raise Money With Marc Andreessen, Ron Conway, and Parker Conrad<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>(50 min video.) This video features insights from Marc Andreessen on the crucial topic of fundraising for startups. The lecture provides valuable advice and practical strategies for entrepreneurs seeking funding for their ventures. Marc covers topics like building a startup company, the fundamentals of fundraising, and the importance of user engagement. The video is a valuable resource for anyone interested in learning about the startup ecosystem and gaining insights from experienced investors and entrepreneurs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Marc Andreessen: <a href=\"https:\/\/pmarchive.com\/guide_to_startups_part6.html\">How Much Funding Is Too Little? Too Much?<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>(8 min read.) Marc, in the article, discusses the ideal amount of funding for startups, emphasizing that a startup&#8217;s funding needs vary based on its stage in achieving product-market fit. He stresses that before reaching product-market fit, startups should secure enough funding to reach this milestone, including a buffer for unforeseen challenges. After achieving product-market fit, funding should enable the company to fully exploit market opportunities and reach profitability. Marc warns against raising too little, risking the startup&#8217;s survival, and too much, potentially leading to cultural complacency. He advises founders to raise as much as possible without sacrificing company control, maintaining focus on product and customer needs, and avoiding excessive spending on expansion until it&#8217;s warranted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Elad Gil: <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.eladgil.com\/p\/how-to-ask-for-introduction\">How to Ask for an Introduction<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>(3 min read.) Elad emphasizes that when requesting an introduction, especially to someone influential, it&#8217;s crucial to make the process easy and appealing for the person facilitating the introduction. A poor request lacks context and puts the burden on the facilitator, reducing the chance of success. A good request should have a compelling subject line, relevant background information, specific reasons for the meeting, and clear benefits for the person being introduced. Elad maintains that by preparing a detailed, well-reasoned request, you make it easy for your contact to forward the email, increasing the likelihood of securing a meeting and building a valuable connection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Mar Hershenson: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=mjwJjEnEVg4\">Clinching Your Series A<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>(59 min video.) Mar, in this video, delves into securing Series A funding, outlining key metrics investors look for. She explains the shift in funding round terminology, emphasizing the importance of customer love at the pre-seed stage, product engine development at the seed stage, and market validation at the Series A stage. She emphasizes that investors seek sustainable growth, efficient growth engines, and founders who are experts in their fields. Mar also provides advice on crafting concise investor pitch decks and utilizing metrics like cohort analysis for customer retention. Finally, she highlights Pear VC&#8217;s strong network and reputation in Silicon Valley, which can benefit portfolio companies.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Key Questions Start Here Paul Graham : How to Raise Money (40 min read.) Paul offers advice to startups considering growth funding. Along with providing multiple tips for success, he cautions founders about the danger of overcomplicating the process or allowing investors to do so. He advises startups to avoid&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19120,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"ht-kb-category":[564119],"ht-kb-tag":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.colby.edu\/halloran-lab-learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ht-kb\/330"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.colby.edu\/halloran-lab-learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ht-kb"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.colby.edu\/halloran-lab-learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/ht_kb"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.colby.edu\/halloran-lab-learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/19120"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.colby.edu\/halloran-lab-learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=330"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/web.colby.edu\/halloran-lab-learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ht-kb\/330\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":453,"href":"https:\/\/web.colby.edu\/halloran-lab-learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ht-kb\/330\/revisions\/453"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.colby.edu\/halloran-lab-learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=330"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"ht_kb_category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.colby.edu\/halloran-lab-learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ht-kb-category?post=330"},{"taxonomy":"ht_kb_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.colby.edu\/halloran-lab-learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ht-kb-tag?post=330"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}