Raising funds for an early-stage startup is a challenging yet essential step in turning your vision into reality. Having successfully raised over $2.5M at Fluently during our Seed and Pre-Seed stages, I've learned that the right approach can make all the difference. Here are the top 10 key fundraising tips that helped us secure the necessary capital to propel our startup forward. Whether you're just starting or refining your strategy, these insights will boost your chances of successful fundraising.
- Commit to raising funds full-time or don’t do it at all
- Gather potential intros from friends / investors as many as you can, BUT don’t ask them to act until you have 50-100
- Schedule all your calls within a few weeks, aiming for 1-2 per day (some people will be on vacation or unavailable)
- Close small checks — $3-10K from FFF: Friends, Family, and Fools to get the round started quickly
- A semi-closed round looks more attractive than one just starting out – increase the round size as you secure more funds
- If someone offers a check, take it. Don’t overthink finding "smart" investors, especially for the first few checks
- If someone doesn’t offer a check, keep them updated on your progress (if there’s something to share)
- Ask for intros only from those who’ve already invested, not from others
- Don’t send a deck; invite them to a call – you can make a better impression in 30 minutes than in a 2-minute read
- Highlight the strength of your team because good pre-seed investors know the initial idea will be changed
Fundraising is as much about strategy and timing as it is about persistence and networking. By following these tips, you'll be better equipped to navigate the complexities of early-stage funding and attract the right investors to your startup. Stay focused, adapt quickly, and keep moving forward.
Originally published on LinkedIn