- Do you actually need to raise? If so, is now the right time? If you don’t have a product with any users, it may be more valuable to prioritize this. Raising m

- Do you actually need to raise? If so, is now the right time? If you don’t have a product with any users, it may be more valuable to prioritize this. Raising money is a huge distraction. Approach with caution. - A clear, succinct, well-designed deck does make a difference. - Talk to your users. How do they use your product? How often? Include this in your deck. - Venture Deals and Mastering the VC Game are helpful books - Read early slide decks of now successful companies. Many are available online (e.g. Airbnb). - Warm intros help. If you know someone who knows a VC and can intro you, ask! - Different VCs have different investment strategies. Your TAM might not move the needle on a 1B fund, but it could on a 20M one. - The best story is a growth curve that’s up and to the right. - For later stage: not to sound demeaning, but VCs often act like lemmings. An offer on the table makes rallying others easier — reach out to those who gave you a “VC pass” (ie nevder responded to your email, or didn’t follow up after a meeting) and see if they’re interested now. - If possible, get feedback on your deck from someone who has successfully raised. - Don’t tell VCs which other VCs you’re talking to. You’ll be tempted, but don’t. - Take notes after each meeting. What were the objections? Stumbling points? Use this feedback to improve your deck. - Giving a range for your valuation or amount you want to raise makes you appear indecisive and lacking in confidence. Give specific figures. - Be capable of justifying why you want to raise X. How’d you come to this figure? - Stories help. How’d you come to this idea? If you have direct exposure to the problem you’re trying to solve - especially if it’s a business problem - incorporate this into your pitch. - Make sure you’re talking to people who can make a decision within the firm. - Don’t copy and paste cold emails. Personalize them. - This can be a discouraging process. But it’s a numbers game. You only need one yes to get the ball rolling. - Multiple offers help with negotiation :) - Good luck!!