Fundraising

It’s Brutal

Fundraising is a bit like riding a raging bull in a thunderstorm: exhilarating, terrifying, and borderline absurd. Emotional whiplash is guaranteed. One day you’re popping metaphorical champagne because an investor said they’d like to hear more, and the next day, your inbox is emptier than a desert. Throw in the occasional stinging critique of your precious baby (aka your startup), and you’ve got yourself a fun trip toward potential burnout.

So guard yourself. Do sport. Do sleep enough. Eat less sweets and junk food. Avoid drowning sorrows in questionable substances. Attempt meditation (it’s not just for hippies).

Full-Time Job

Yes, it’s a job in itself—one that devours your calendar. You’ll ping-pong between investor pitches, deck tweaks, pivoting strategies, then back to more investor pitches. There’ll be docs to share, questions to answer, proofs to prove. Meanwhile, your startup can’t just press pause.

So delegate, automate, and let the rest of your team keep the product ship sailing. By the time you’re done fundraising, you shouldn’t return to a smoldering wreck of a company. For more details, see the Fundraising Readiness Dashboard.

Be Cool

An investor’s not your therapist, nor your best friend from high school. They don’t want to hear dramatic sob stories about five lost prototypes or that time your co-founder spilled coffee on your only laptop. Keep it honest but hopeful. Paint the wins (and yes, every fiasco can become a comedic footnote if told with flair). People invest in success, not pity parties.

Be Fast

You’ve got a short window—think one or two months—before the startup rumor mill announces, “Hey, they’ve already pitched 72 different VCs, and nobody’s biting.” Once that staleness sets in, it can feel like trying to sell leftover pizza. The magic trick is to spark a bit of FOMO among investors, which is tricky if you’re still pitching your 101st potential lead months later.

Take Care of Your Mental Health

Seriously. And not just with fluffy words. Check out resources like Founderwell. Three mental hacks to keep in mind:
1. Don’t fixate on a single “dream investor.” The bigger they are, the harder your ego might fall.
2. It’s business—if you get turned down, that’s not a life sentence on your worth as a human.
3. When they say “no,” politely smile and move on. Endless follow-ups only feed your frustration, not your bank account.

Advisors

Yes, a good advisor is like your personal Yoda—but watch out for the self-proclaimed “fundraising gurus” who can’t actually help you do much. A real pro may charge a hefty fee or take some equity, so it’s wise to be picky.

If you can’t afford or find a guru, befriend a founder who’s just a step ahead of you. Someone who’s navigated a similar market and can call out rookie mistakes before you even make them—and maybe share a few intros, too. The startup world can be surprisingly friendly, so go on and find your wise buddy who’ll keep you from falling into that inevitable first-time founder pit.

Buckle up, stay sane, and keep your eyes on the prize. Fundraising may be brutal, but done right, it’s the rocket fuel your venture needs. Good luck—and remember to breathe.

‍