RESOURCES
The Fundraising Road Map
Raising venture capital is tough on your own, so we've assembled a collection of our favorite how-to's, templates, software, and even a custom GPT to help you fast-track your fundraising success!
Sign Up for the 9-Day Course
About the Road Map
Fundraising is Our Wheelhouse
For the past 9 years, we've facilitated more than 3.2 million Founder-to-Investor interactions across Investor Updates, Decks, Data Rooms, and Investor Pipelines. As we've been equipping Founders and Investors to thrive together for that time, the most important topic consistently throughout the journey has always been fundraising. Raising a venture round is a complex sequence of events, often being done by Founders who have little to no experience and in combination with Investors who have a significant amount of experience. This experience gap is not ideal for Founders, but it doesn't have to be as big if you take the time to learn from others.
That's what we do. We are constantly learning as we continue to serve Founders and Investors with our software and want to share our continuous growth with you. Below, you'll find the best resources to help you 1. learn how to raise money well, 2. know what tools are at your disposal to make raising a breeze, and 3. practice each step of the process with our VC Fundraising Coach GPT!
Getting the Most out of the Road Map
We recognize that just as no funding round is the same, no Founder has the exact same experience level as another. We've designed this road map to accommodate all Founders looking to raise venture, whether this is your first time and you're simply looking for definitions of words, or if it's your twentieth time raising, but you want to make sure this next round is as smooth and painless as possible. Regardless of where you land, we hope there's value here for you.
With this in mind, we've broken out each lesson below into 4 key points:
Introduction: This section is a simple overview of the topic as a whole and is meant to help get your head in the right space to focus on that subject.
Concepts & How To's: Less-experienced fundraisers will enjoy this section as it contains resources that help define terms, understand best practices, and fill in knowledge gaps.
Templates & Tools: Once you know what needs to be done, it's time to get to work. However, starting from scratch is a pain, so we've developed several templates and examples for each lesson that you can use to save time and give you a headstart on your round.
VC Fundraising Coach: No matter your experience level, practicing the various elements of fundraising in a safe and pressure-free environment will lead to more confidence for real-world conversations and ultimately a better round. Now, with our VC Fundraising Coach, which is a custom GPT powered by OpenAI, you have such an environment. Feel free to leverage the suggested prompts or ask for more tailored help.
When You're Ready
To get started, scroll down, select a Lesson in the sidebar, or sign up for the email course version above. We look forward to helping you learn, grow, and raise, please let us know if there's any way we can help you further!
Lesson #1
Fundraising Basics
Introduction
Every year, thousands of startups compete for venture capital. Many have strong products. Many show impressive growth. Many boast talented teams. Yet less than 1% successfully raise institutional funding. The difference between success and failure isn't just about building a great company - it's about understanding the unwritten rules of venture capital that most founders don’t innately know.
In today's startup ecosystem, two resources reign supreme: capital and talent. Without capital, even the most brilliant ideas remain unrealized. Without talent, even the most well-funded ventures can falter.
But here's the reality that most founders don't grasp until they're deep in the fundraising trenches: venture capital isn't just about having a great idea or impressive numbers. It's about understanding a complex ecosystem that has evolved dramatically since the days when capital scarcity alone was enough to give VCs an edge.
The venture landscape of 2025 is fundamentally different from what it was even a decade ago. Today, thousands of VC firms compete not just with their checkbooks, but with specialized expertise, extensive resources, and unique "secret sauces" for generating returns.
This evolution has created both challenges and opportunities for founders. While it's easier than ever to start a company, it's arguably harder than ever to build one that attracts significant venture capital.
This lesson will arm you with the foundational knowledge you need to navigate this complex landscape successfully. You'll learn why VCs make the decisions they do (hint: it's not always what you think), how to assess whether you're truly ready to raise capital, and what makes companies not just fundable, but irresistible to investors.
Whether you're preparing for your first seed round or planning a Series B, the principles you'll learn here will serve as your compass through the fundraising journey. Let's begin by understanding the fundamental forces that shape venture capital decisions.
Concepts & How To's
As we step into the course in earnest, let's first walk through an overview of the most important concepts when it comes to raising venture capital. Think of this section as an overview of the whole process and of what we'll share much more in-depth throughout the other lessons in this course. To begin, we'll pull concepts from our All-Encompassing Startup Fundraising Guide resource. Here’s a quick summary of the most important takeaways:
1. The Evolution of Venture Capital & Why It Matters
Venture capital has changed significantly over time, with more investors entering the market, new funding structures, and a growing emphasis on founder-friendly terms. Understanding these shifts helps founders tailor their fundraising approach to align with investor expectations.
2. What Investors Look For
Investors focus on four main areas when evaluating a startup. First, they assess the market opportunity, looking for businesses that address a large and growing market with significant potential for returns. Second, they evaluate the team, prioritizing founders with strong experience, adaptability, and a clear vision. Third, they consider product and traction, seeking validation through customer demand, user growth, or revenue. Finally, they analyze the business model and scalability, ensuring that the startup has a clear path to growth and profitability.
3. How to Identify & Target the Right Investors
Not all investors are the right fit for a startup. Founders should focus on those with experience in their industry, as sector-specific investors bring valuable insights and connections. Researching venture funds to understand their typical check size, stage preference, and investment thesis helps ensure alignment before pitching. Additionally, warm introductions through mutual connections significantly increase the chances of getting a meeting and building early trust.
4. Perfecting the Fundraising Narrative
A compelling fundraising story is critical to standing out. Founders should clearly articulate why now is the right time for their company to succeed, emphasizing how their product solves a significant pain point in the market. Investors also want to understand what makes the team uniquely qualified to execute the vision. Data-backed proof points—such as traction metrics, revenue growth, or user adoption—help validate the opportunity and reduce perceived risk.
5. Managing the Fundraising Process
A structured approach to fundraising improves efficiency and increases the likelihood of success. Founders should build a well-researched pipeline of potential investors and run a tight process with clear timelines to create momentum. Keeping track of investor conversations, feedback, and follow-ups with a fundraising CRM ensures no opportunities slip through the cracks. One of the biggest mistakes founders make is taking too many early meetings without a clear strategy, which can waste time and dilute their pitch effectiveness.
6. Due Diligence & Closing the Deal
Once investors express interest, they will conduct due diligence to verify the startup’s financials, customer traction, legal structure, and operational details. Founders who are organized and transparent throughout this process build trust and accelerate deal closure. Understanding key deal components—such as valuation, dilution, and board structure—is essential to negotiating favorable terms. Being well-prepared for this stage can make a significant difference in the final outcome of the deal.
7. Fundraising Is Ongoing
Securing funding isn’t the end of investor relations—it’s the beginning. The best founders maintain strong relationships with investors even after closing a round. Regular updates and proactive engagement help build long-term trust, making future fundraising efforts much easier. Keeping investors involved also opens doors to valuable introductions, strategic advice, and potential follow-on funding.
Key Takeaway
Raising capital is about more than just pitching—it requires strategic targeting, strong storytelling, structured execution, and long-term relationship building. Founders who take a disciplined, data-driven approach while understanding investor motivations set themselves up for success.
Click here to read the entire All-Encompassing Startup Fundraising Guide.
Additional Resources
Templates & Tools
At Visible, we help Founders streamline fundraising by eliminating friction and saving time. Instead of juggling spreadsheets and scattered notes, you can use our tools to track investors, send updates, manage due diligence, and refine your pitch— all in one place. Here's a list of core functionality thousands of Founders use every day in Visible:
Fundraising CRM
Raising venture funding is a pipeline-driven process, much like sales. Keeping track of investor conversations, follow-ups, and responses is critical to maintaining momentum and is easier than ever to manage and customize with Visible Pipelines.
Data Rooms for Due Diligence
Investors will conduct due diligence before wiring funds. Having a well-organized data room speeds up the process and signals professionalism. We make managing your data room a breeze with templates and track engagement so you know who's viewing what.
Investor Updates
Investors want to see real-time traction and growth metrics before committing. Consistently sharing clear, structured updates builds credibility and nurtures long-term relationships. With over 2.5 million Investor Updates shared in the past 9 years through Visible, you can trust our platform to deliver.
VC Fundraising Coach
Welcome to the VC Fundraising Coach! We've designed and calibrated this GPT specifically to help you with each step in the Fundraising Road Map course. We believe the best way to move from simply understanding fundraising concepts to using them effectively is to practice without the stress and pressure of real-world conversations and this GPT allows you to do just that. Copy one of the example prompts about fundraising below for a quick start or feel free to come up with your own!
Example Prompts
- Can you enter mock investor mode?
- How do I reach out to investors?
- What should be in my data room?
Have your own OpenAI account? Access the VC Fundraising Coach here!
Lesson #2
Finding the Right Investors
Introduction
"Ask any founder who has raised venture capital, and they will likely tell you that fundraising is a sales process." - Mark Suster, Managing Partner at Upfront Ventures
Finding the right investors isn't just about having a great company - it's about understanding how to identify, approach, and build relationships with the people who will bet on your vision. Just as you wouldn't sell your product to every possible customer, you shouldn't pitch your company to every possible investor.
The reality is that while capital may seem abundant in today's venture ecosystem, finding the right investors - ones who align with your vision, understand your market, and can truly add value beyond their checkbook - is more challenging than ever. With thousands of VC firms operating across different stages, sectors, and geographies, the key to successful fundraising lies not in casting the widest net, but in targeting the investors most likely to be excited about your specific opportunity.
This section will show you how to systematically identify, evaluate, and engage with potential investors who are the best fit for your company. You'll learn how to move beyond generic networking to build a strategic pipeline of investors who can become true partners in your journey. We'll explore proven methods for finding investors who not only have the capital you need but also share your values and can contribute meaningfully to your company's growth.
Whether you're raising your first round or looking to expand your investor network for future fundraising, understanding how to find the right investors is crucial. The difference between success and failure in fundraising often comes down to getting in front of the right people at the right time with the right story. Let's explore how to make that happen.
Concepts & How To's
Before diving into outreach, you need to clearly define who your ideal investors are. This lesson focuses on insights about building and qualifying your investor list from our guide to Building Your Ideal Investor Persona. Here’s a quick summary of the most important takeaways:
1. Why an Ideal Investor Profile Matters
Not all investors are a good fit. The right investor brings capital, guidance, and valuable connections. Defining an IIP helps founders prioritize and pitch investors who align with their vision, stage, and industry.
2. Key Factors for Building Your IIP
To create an effective investor profile, founders should first consider check size and stage alignment. Investors have specific preferences regarding the size of checks they write and the stage at which they invest, so ensuring compatibility is crucial. Geography also plays a role, as many investors prefer startups in particular locations due to regulatory, network, or operational reasons. Industry fit and investment thesis alignment are equally important—some investors focus on specific sectors or business models, making it essential to target those who have a history of backing similar companies. Additionally, portfolio alignment matters; investors with competing companies in their portfolio may pose conflicts, while those with complementary investments can be strategic partners. Finally, founders should look beyond capital and seek investors who provide strategic guidance, introductions, and operational support to maximize long-term value.
3. How to Identify & Prioritize Investors
To find the right investors, founders can use databases such as Crunchbase, Visible, and PitchBook to research potential investors based on their past deals, industries, and check sizes. Evaluating historical investments helps assess whether an investor is likely to be interested. After compiling a list, prioritization should be based on strategic alignment and likelihood of engagement, ensuring outreach efforts are focused on those most likely to invest.
4. Mapping Investors to the Funnel
Once a list is built, investors should be categorized into stages of the funnel. At the top of the funnel, founders should include a broad list of potential investors that meet basic criteria. As they engage in conversations and receive feedback, they can move interested and well-matched investors to the middle of the funnel. At this stage, investors show real interest and fit the business well. Finally, those who are actively engaged in due diligence and progressing toward a potential commitment should be placed at the bottom of the funnel.
By defining and refining an Ideal Investor Profile, founders can focus on the right investors, improve their pitch success rate, and build long-term relationships that go beyond funding.
Click here to read the entire guide to Building Your Ideal Investor Persona.
Additional Resources
Templates & Tools
Visible Connect
Fundraising is a time-intensive process that requires precision, strategy, and relationship-building. One of the biggest challenges founders face is identifying the right investors—ones whose check size, industry focus, and investment thesis align with their company’s stage and vision. Visible Connect solves this problem by offering a structured, data-driven investor database that allows founders to efficiently search for and connect with investors who are the right fit. The database is designed to help founders filter and prioritize investors based on meaningful criteria, including:
- Check size – Investors in Visible Connect clearly outline the range they typically invest, ensuring founders don’t waste time pitching to funds that are either too small or too large for their round.
- Investment focus – Not all investors invest across industries or geographies. Visible Connect allows founders to filter by sector and geographic preference, narrowing the search to investors with a genuine interest in their business model.
- Board involvement – Some investors take active board seats, while others prefer to be hands-off. Understanding this in advance helps founders align expectations before making a pitch.
- Traction and stage requirements – Many investors have specific revenue, growth, or user traction thresholds before they invest. With Visible Connect, founders can see these expectations upfront and avoid reaching out to investors prematurely.
Deep Integration with Visible's Fundraising Pipelines
Unlike static investor lists, Visible Connect is directly integrated with Visible’s Fundraising CRM, giving founders a streamlined way to track investor interactions, manage outreach, and stay organized throughout the fundraising process.
By eliminating guesswork and inefficiency, Visible Connect helps founders focus on building relationships with the right investors instead of chasing leads that don’t fit their business.
Use Visible Connect today for free.
Fundraising CRM
Raising venture funding is a pipeline-driven process, much like sales. Keeping track of investor conversations, follow-ups, and responses is critical to maintaining momentum and is easier than ever to manage and customize with Visible Pipelines.
VC Fundraising Coach
Welcome to the VC Fundraising Coach! We've designed and calibrated this GPT specifically to help you with each step in the Fundraising Road Map course. We believe the best way to move from simply understanding fundraising concepts to using them effectively is to practice without the stress and pressure of real-world conversations and this GPT allows you to do just that. Copy one of the example prompts about finding the right investors below for a quick start or feel free to come up with your own!
Example Prompts
- How many investors should be in my investor pipeline?
- What criteria should I look for in a potential investor?
- Can you suggest investors for my business?
Have your own OpenAI account? Access the VC Fundraising Coach here!
Lesson #3
Investor Outreach
Introduction
"I'll pass, but happy to make introductions." It's a response every founder dreads, but successful ones learn to leverage. Because venture fundraising isn't about perfecting a single pitch – it's about building a network of relationships that compound over time.
Why Outreach Strategy Matters
Now that you've identified your ideal investors (Lesson 2), the next challenge is turning that carefully curated list into actual conversations. According to Brett Brohl of Bread and Butter Ventures, the average early-stage fundraise takes around five months - and much of that time is spent on strategic outreach and relationship building.
Think of your outreach strategy as the bridge between having a great target list and having great investor meetings. Even the perfect investor won't write a check if you can't get their attention first. Your outreach strategy determines:
- How quickly you can build momentum in your raise
- Whether investors take your first meeting
- How warm or cold those initial conversations will be
- Whether passing investors become valuable connectors
- How effectively you can run a parallel fundraising process
The difference between a good company and a well-funded company often comes down to outreach execution. Let's dive into how you can build an outreach system that consistently turns cold investor lists into warm conversations.
Concepts & How To's
Once you've built your ideal target investor list, it's time to reach out and make your first connections. Over the years, we’ve put together a 9-step guide to effectively architect and implement your investor outreach strategy. Here’s a summary of the most important takeaways from that guide:
1. Understand the VC Landscape
Before reaching out, understand how venture capital works, what investors look for, and where your company fits in the funding ecosystem. Investors fund businesses based on potential returns, so ensure your company aligns with their investment thesis.
2. Research & Build a Targeted Investor List
Not all investors are the right fit. Research VCs who invest in companies at your stage, in your industry, and within your geographic focus. Leverage databases like Crunchbase, PitchBook, and Visible’s investor network to build a list of relevant investors.
3. Personalize Your Outreach
A generic cold email won’t cut it. Investors receive hundreds of pitches—stand out by referencing their past investments, thesis, and portfolio companies. Show why your company is a strong fit for them specifically.
4. Develop Strong Pitch Materials
Ensure you have a concise, compelling pitch deck and executive summary. These should highlight your market opportunity, traction, and financials in a clear, investor-friendly way.
5. Leverage Warm Introductions
Getting a warm intro from a mutual connection (other founders, operators, or angel investors) significantly increases your chances of engagement. Investors prioritize deals coming from their trusted network.
6. Stay Organized & Follow Up Diligently
Track all investor conversations, follow up consistently, and provide regular updates. Persistence matters—many investors need multiple touchpoints before committing.
7. Manage Your Fundraising Pipeline
Treat investor outreach like a sales funnel. Use a CRM or tracking system to monitor investor interactions, stage progression, and next steps to ensure a structured and strategic process.
8. Negotiate Thoughtfully & Close Deals
When investors show interest, be prepared to negotiate terms. Understand valuation, dilution, and investor expectations to ensure a deal that aligns with your company’s long-term vision.
A well-executed investor outreach strategy can make or break your fundraising success. By being intentional, persistent, and data-driven in your approach, you’ll increase your chances of securing the right investors for your business.
Click here to read the entire 9-step guide to investor outreach strategy.
Additional Resource
Templates & Tools
How to Cold Email Investors (Template Below)
Now that you know what you need to do in order to effectively reach out to investors, it's time to get to work. We've put together some resources to save you from wasting time starting from scratch. Here are a few key points from our how-to guide about cold emailing investors:
1. Identify the Right Investors
Begin by targeting investors whose focus aligns with your startup's stage, sector, and geography. For instance, if you're a life sciences startup, avoid reaching out to investors specializing in e-commerce. Tools like Visible Connect can assist in filtering investors based on these criteria.
2. Craft Concise and Compelling Emails
Aim to keep your email between 50 to 200 words. Clearly articulate your startup's value proposition and explain why it aligns with the investor's interests. Remember, the goal is to secure a reply, not to provide exhaustive details about your company.
3. Personalize Your Outreach
Avoid mass emailing. Personalize each message to demonstrate genuine interest and show that you've researched the investor's background and focus areas. Mention any recent activities or statements by the investor that relate to your startup.
4. Be Specific in Your Email Content
Clearly describe what makes your startup unique and worthy of a meeting. Highlight any significant milestones, metrics, or social proof, such as well-known customers or press coverage. This specificity can capture the investor's attention and differentiate your email from others.
5. Follow Up Thoughtfully
If you don't receive a response, consider sending a polite follow-up after a week or so. Persistence can pay off, but ensure your follow-ups add value, such as sharing a recent milestone or relevant news about your startup.
By following these steps, you can enhance your fundraising efforts and increase the likelihood of securing investment through cold emailing.
Click here to read the entire guide on how to cold email investors.
Additional Resource
VC Fundraising Coach
Welcome to the VC Fundraising Coach! We've designed and calibrated this GPT specifically to help you with each step in the Fundraising Road Map course. We believe the best way to move from simply understanding fundraising concepts to using them effectively is to practice without the stress and pressure of real-world conversations and this GPT allows you to do just that. Copy one of the example prompts about investor outreach below for a quick start or feel free to come up with your own!
Example Prompts
- Can you help me create a template for cold outreach?
- How should I orchestrate reaching out to investors?
- How should I follow up with investors?
Have your own OpenAI account? Access the VC Fundraising Coach here!
Lesson #4
Pitching VCs
Introduction
According to TechCrunch, investors spend on average only 3 minutes and 44 seconds reviewing a pitch deck. Some sources suggest it's even less - under 2 minutes. Yet these brief moments can determine whether your company receives millions in funding or gets a quick pass.
Every founder dreams of walking into a pitch meeting and walking out with a term sheet. But the reality is that pitching isn't just about those few minutes in the room - it's about crafting a compelling narrative that survives both the initial deck review and intense due diligence that follows. While Lesson 3 taught us how to get meetings, this lesson focuses on making those meetings count.
Think of your pitch as the bridge between having investor interest and securing investment. Even the warmest introduction won't matter if you can't articulate why your company represents a compelling investment opportunity. Your pitch needs to do more than just share information - it needs to create conviction.
The difference between a good pitch and a great one often isn't about having better metrics or a bigger market - it's about how effectively you communicate your opportunity. Let's explore how to craft and deliver a pitch that turns investor interest into investment.
Concepts & How To's
Now that you’ve got time booked on the calendar of some VCs, it’s time to prepare your pitch. Pitching and pitch decks are hot topics in our space and for good reason. Your pitch presentation tells investors a lot about you, but it’s not just about what you’re saying. It’s about how you show up, your confidence, how prepared you are, and the type of topics you bring up to discuss. We’ve built a step-by-step guide to building pitch decks to make sure you have as much working in your favor before you even start the call or enter the room. Here’s a summary of the most important takeaways from that guide:
1. Choose the Right Tools
Selecting the appropriate presentation tool is crucial. Options include Keynote for detailed design flexibility, Google Slides for easy collaboration, PowerPoint for a balance between design and usability, and Canva for design-centric customization. Your choice should align with your team's design expertise and collaboration needs.
2. Craft Your Message
With investors often spending less than 5 minutes reviewing a pitch deck, it's vital to communicate your company's story succinctly. A popular approach is Guy Kawasaki's 10/20/30 rule: 10 slides, 20 minutes, and a minimum 30-point font. Focus on clearly articulating your company's purpose, the problem you're addressing, and your solution.
3. Level Up Your Pitch Deck with These Tips
-
Keep It Concise: Ensure every slide delivers value without overwhelming information.
-
Tell a Story: Craft a narrative that engages investors and highlights your company's journey.
-
Focus on Design: Use visuals to complement your message, maintaining a clean and professional look.
-
Practice Your Delivery: Rehearse your pitch to deliver it confidently and within the allotted time.
4. Follow Pitch Deck Design Best Practices
-
Consistency: Maintain uniform fonts, colors, and layouts throughout the deck.
-
Clarity: Use clear headings and bullet points to convey information effectively.
-
Visuals: Incorporate high-quality images and graphics to illustrate key points.
5. Prepare to Deliver Your Pitch
Beyond the deck, your delivery matters. Be ready to answer questions, provide additional information, and engage in discussions. Tailor your pitch to your audience, emphasizing aspects that resonate most with them.
Click here to read the entire step-by-step guide on how to build a pitch deck.
Additional Resources
Templates & Tools
Building a Pitch Deck (Guide & Templates Below)
Now that you know what you need to do in order to effectively pitch investors, it's time to get to work and build that pitch deck. We've put together some resources to save you from wasting time starting from scratch. Here are a few key points from our step-by-step guide on how to build a great pitch deck:
1. Choose the Right Tools
Founders should select a presentation tool that aligns with their workflow and design capabilities. Canva, Google Slides, and PowerPoint are popular options for building and customizing decks. For those who want to track investor engagement, Visible allows founders to see when and how often investors view their decks, providing valuable insight into investor interest.
2. Craft a Clear & Concise Message
A well-structured pitch deck follows a logical flow that tells the story of the business. It should start with the problem, clearly outlining a major pain point in the market. The solution should explain how the company’s product or service effectively addresses that problem. The market opportunity should demonstrate why now is the right time to invest and provide data on the size of the opportunity. A strong business model should clearly show how the company generates revenue. Traction is essential, offering proof that the business is growing through metrics like revenue, customer adoption, or partnerships. The team section should highlight the key players and why they are the right people to build this business. Finally, the fundraising ask should clearly state how much capital the company is raising and how those funds will be used.
3. Design for Impact
Since investors skim decks quickly, the design should enhance clarity and readability. Slides should be visually clean, with minimal text and a clear focus on key takeaways. Graphs and images should be used strategically to illustrate key points rather than overcrowding slides with excessive data. Consistent branding in fonts, colors, and layouts helps reinforce a professional image. Founders should also ensure readability by avoiding cluttered slides and using whitespace effectively to make content more digestible.
4. Deliver with Confidence
A great deck is only as strong as the founder’s ability to present it effectively. Founders should practice their pitch multiple times to refine messaging and ensure a smooth delivery. They should also be prepared to answer tough investor questions, particularly around financials, growth strategies, and competitive positioning. Since different investors may focus on different aspects of the business, founders should be ready to tailor their presentation slightly depending on whether they are speaking with early-stage or growth-stage investors.
5. Share Your Deck Strategically
How a founder shares their deck can impact investor engagement. Using Visible allows founders to track how long investors spend on each slide, offering valuable feedback on which areas resonate most. Sharing a concise version of the deck for initial outreach can help spark investor interest, while a more detailed version should be ready for follow-up conversations. Founders should avoid sending large file attachments and instead use shareable links that make it easier for investors to access and review the deck.
A pitch deck is more than just slides—it’s the story of your company’s vision, growth, and potential—oftentimes your one shot at making a good impression. By following the principles above, founders can increase their chances of capturing investor interest and ultimately securing funding.
Click here to read the entire step-by-step guide to building a pitch deck.
Visible Pitch Decks
Our platform empowers founders to seamlessly share and manage fundraising pitch decks. With version control, custom branding, security features, and investor engagement analytics, you can ensure your deck is always up-to-date, protected, and optimized for fundraising success.
Additional Resources
VC Fundraising Coach
Welcome to the VC Fundraising Coach! We've designed and calibrated this GPT specifically to help you with each step in the Fundraising Road Map course. We believe the best way to move from simply understanding fundraising concepts to using them effectively is to practice without the stress and pressure of real-world conversations and this GPT allows you to do just that. Copy one of the example prompts about pitching VCs below for a quick start or feel free to come up with your own!
Example Prompts
- Can I pitch you as a mock investor?
- How do I create a compelling pitch deck?
- Will you help me refine my elevator pitch?
Have your own OpenAI account? Access the VC Fundraising Coach here!
Lesson #5
Fundraising Pipeline Management
Introduction
The average seed round requires conversations with 50-100 investors. Of those, perhaps 20-30 will take first meetings. But ultimately, you might only receive 2-3 term sheets. The difference between success and failure often isn't about your pitch or your metrics - it's about how effectively you manage your investor pipeline.
Think of your fundraising process like a sophisticated sales operation. The best salespeople don't just make calls and give presentations - they meticulously manage their pipeline, understanding exactly where each prospect stands and what needs to happen next. Yet surprisingly, while founders obsess over their pitch decks and financial models, many treat investor pipeline management as an afterthought.
In today's venture landscape, this approach is a recipe for failure. With more startups competing for attention than ever before, the founders who succeed are the ones who treat fundraising as a systematic process rather than a series of random conversations.
Whether you're preparing to raise your first round or looking to improve your fundraising process, mastering pipeline management can be the difference between a successful raise and running out of runway. Let's explore how to build and manage an investor pipeline that converts interest into investment.
Concepts & How To's
Raising capital isn’t about sending a few emails and hoping for the best—it’s a structured process that mirrors B2B sales. Just like a sales team builds a pipeline of leads, nurtures relationships, and closes deals, founders must do the same with investors. Managing this systematically increases efficiency and improves the chances of securing funding. To help save you time learning from scratch, we've put together a step-by-step guide for building your investor pipeline, here are some of the most important points:
1. Structuring Your Investor Pipeline
An effective investor pipeline moves investors through different stages, much like a traditional sales funnel.
At the top of the funnel, the goal is to compile a broad list of potential investors—typically 100 to 200 names. This list should be sourced through three main channels:
- Warm introductions from existing investors, advisors, or mutual connections
- Inbound interest, such as investors reaching out after seeing press or updates
- Cold outreach, where founders research and directly contact relevant investors
Not every investor will be a fit, so it’s crucial to filter for alignment based on industry, check size, and stage preference.
In the middle of the funnel, the focus shifts to engagement. Founders should pitch their business, hold meetings, and send investor updates to keep conversations moving forward. Many investors take time to make a decision, so relationship-building is key. Investors in this stage should be categorized based on their level of interest and likelihood to move forward.
At the bottom of the funnel, serious investors enter due diligence. This involves providing access to a data room with key materials such as financials, legal documents, and customer metrics. The goal is to make this process as seamless as possible to increase the likelihood of closing a deal.
2. Managing & Tracking Investor Outreach
Without a structured system, investor outreach can quickly become overwhelming. Founders should use a fundraising CRM like Visible to monitor investor interactions. A strong tracking system should include:
- The investor’s name, fund, and check size
- The current stage in the pipeline (e.g., initial contact, meeting scheduled, due diligence)
- Notes on past interactions and next steps
This helps prevent wasted effort on investors who aren’t a fit while ensuring the right investors receive consistent follow-ups.
3. Optimizing for Success
Fundraising is rarely a one-and-done effort. The best founders build relationships with investors over time.
A few best practices to improve your process:
- Warm introductions outperform cold outreach, so founders should always look for a mutual connection before reaching out cold.
- Follow-ups matter—very few investors commit after a single meeting, so maintaining momentum is crucial.
- Investor updates are a powerful tool—they keep potential investors engaged, showcase progress, and open doors for future funding rounds.
By treating fundraising as a structured, trackable process, founders can stay efficient, reduce uncertainty, and improve their chances of raising the capital they need.
Click here to read the entire step-by-step guide for building your investor pipeline.
Additional Resources
Templates & Tools
Fundraising CRM
Raising venture funding is a pipeline-driven process, much like sales. Keeping track of investor conversations, follow-ups, and responses is critical to maintaining momentum and is easier than ever to manage and customize with Visible Pipelines.
Startup Data Room Template
A startup data room is a secure online repository where founders organize and share essential company documents with potential investors. At this stage of the game, a well-structured data room not only streamlines the fundraising process but also builds investor confidence by demonstrating transparency and preparedness. To save you time, we've put together a template you can use to make sure your data room is going to do its job well, here are some main takeaways:
Key Components of a Strong Data Room
- Company Overview
- Mission, vision, and company history
- Key team members and their backgrounds
- Pitch Deck
- A concise and compelling investor deck that highlights your market opportunity, product, business model, traction, and financials
- Financial Information
- Income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements
- Revenue growth, burn rate, and financial projections
- Cap Table & Equity Structure
- Breakdown of company ownership (founders, investors, employees)
- Details on previous funding rounds and investor participation
- Legal Documents
- Articles of incorporation and company bylaws
- Intellectual property (trademarks, patents, copyrights)
- Key contracts (partnership agreements, term sheets, customer contracts)
- Product & Market Data
- Product roadmap, competitive analysis, and customer traction
- Key performance metrics (ARR, churn rate, CAC, LTV)
- Investor Updates & Notes
- Any previous investor reports, board meeting notes, or key business updates
A well-structured data room is essential for a smooth fundraising process. It helps investors quickly understand your business, reduces friction in due diligence, and increases your chances of securing investment.
Click here to access the full data room template.
Additional Resources
VC Fundraising Coach
Welcome to the VC Fundraising Coach! We've designed and calibrated this GPT specifically to help you with each step in the Fundraising Road Map course. We believe the best way to move from simply understanding fundraising concepts to using them effectively is to practice without the stress and pressure of real-world conversations and this GPT allows you to do just that. Copy one of the example prompts about fundraising pipeline management below for a quick start or feel free to come up with your own!
Example Prompts
- How can I structure my investor pipeline to ensure maximum efficiency?
- What are the key metrics I should track to optimize my fundraising pipeline?
- What are the biggest red flags to watch out for when managing investor conversations?
Have your own OpenAI account? Access the VC Fundraising Coach here!
Lesson #6
Negotiating Terms
Introduction
"In term sheet negotiations, what you don't know can hurt you far more than what you do," said Fred Wilson of Union Square Ventures. "While over 80% of terms are standard, the remaining 20% can make or break your company's future."
Hopefully after Lesson 5, you’ve successfully managed your investor pipeline to the point that your first term sheet has arrived. Now comes the moment where founders often make their biggest mistakes. While many focus solely on valuation, the terms you negotiate will impact your company's trajectory long after the money hits your bank account. From board control to liquidation preferences, these decisions shape not just your current round, but every funding event that follows.
Whether you're looking at your first SAFE agreement or fielding multiple Series A term sheets, mastering term negotiations is essential. The goal isn't just to get the deal done - it's to secure terms that support your company's growth while preserving your ability to build the business you envision. Let’s dive into some of the most important aspects you need to consider in final round negotiations.
Concepts & How To's
Negotiating a venture capital (VC) deal is one of the most critical steps in securing funding for your startup. Beyond just valuation, the terms you agree to will shape your company’s future, influence your control as a founder, and impact your financial outcome. Understanding the key elements of a VC negotiation, as well as the documents involved, will help you navigate the process with confidence. Let's explore the topic below.
Key Aspects of VC Deal Negotiations
Valuation & Ownership
The pre-money and post-money valuation determine how much equity you are giving up in exchange for investment. The percentage of ownership investors receive will influence future dilution and control dynamics. Founders should ensure that their cap table remains balanced, allowing them to retain enough equity while still making the deal attractive to investors.
Control & Governance
VCs will often request governance rights that allow them to influence business decisions. This includes:
- Board Composition – Investors may require board seats, which impact decision-making power. Founders should negotiate a balanced board structure that aligns investor interests with company growth.
- Protective Provisions – These clauses give investors veto power over critical business decisions such as issuing new shares, taking on debt, or selling the company. It’s important to negotiate which decisions truly require investor approval.
Liquidation Preferences
Investors typically negotiate liquidation preferences to ensure they get their money back before common shareholders receive any exit proceeds. The two main structures are:
- 1x Liquidation Preference – The investor gets back their initial investment before any proceeds are distributed.
- Participating vs. Non-Participating Preferred Stock – Participating preferred allows investors to receive both their preference and a share of the remaining proceeds, which can significantly impact what founders and employees receive in a sale.
Dilution & Anti-Dilution Protection
Dilution occurs as new funding rounds are raised, and investors often negotiate protections against it. Key mechanisms include:
- Anti-Dilution Protection – Full ratchet or weighted average anti-dilution provisions adjust an investor’s share price if a future round is raised at a lower valuation.
- Option Pool Expansion – The size and timing of the option pool can affect dilution. Founders should negotiate whether new option grants are included pre-money or post-money to minimize their ownership impact.
Founder Vesting & Employment Terms
Investors often require founders to have a vesting schedule to ensure long-term commitment. Standard structures include:
- Four-Year Vesting with a One-Year Cliff – Founders earn their shares gradually, with none vesting in the first year.
- Acceleration Clauses – Some agreements include single or double-trigger acceleration, which determines what happens to founder equity in the event of an acquisition or termination.
Exit Considerations & Investor Rights
Investors often negotiate exit-related clauses to protect their returns, including:
- Drag-Along Rights – Allow investors to force a sale under certain conditions, ensuring that minority shareholders cannot block an exit.
- Redemption Rights – Give investors the ability to force a buyout after a set period, potentially pressuring the company into an exit even if it’s not the right time.
Key Documents in a VC Deal
A venture deal involves several legal agreements, each outlining different aspects of the investment:
- Term Sheet – A non-binding document summarizing the key terms of the deal.
- Stock Purchase Agreement (SPA) – The binding contract that finalizes the investment and equity issuance.
- Investor Rights Agreement (IRA) – Defines governance rights, information rights, and protections for investors.
- Voting Agreement – Determines board and shareholder voting structures.
- Right of First Refusal & Co-Sale Agreement – Governs how shares can be transferred and whether existing investors have the right to purchase them before external parties.
Mastering these negotiation elements will help you secure favorable terms, protect your interests, and set your company up for long-term success. While valuation is important, the real power lies in understanding governance, investor protections, and exit mechanisms—ensuring you remain in control while scaling your business.
Additional Resources
- 8 Startup Valuation Techniques and Factors to Consider
- Pre-money vs Post-money: Essential Startup Knowledge
- Navigating Pro Rata Rights: Essential Insights for Startup Entrepreneurs
- Liquidation Preference: Types of Liquidation Events & How it Works
- The Startup's Handbook to SAFE: Simplifying Future Equity Agreements
Templates & Tools
Term Sheet Template
A term sheet is a crucial document in the fundraising process that outlines the key terms of an investment deal between a startup and an investor. While it’s non-binding, it sets the foundation for the legally binding agreements that follow. Here are the essential concepts we've covered in the term sheet template resource below:
Key Sections of a Term Sheet
-
Valuation & Ownership
The term sheet specifies pre-money and post-money valuation, which determines how much equity the investor receives in exchange for their capital. It also includes the option pool, which impacts the founder’s ownership percentage by allocating shares for future hires, often diluting existing shareholders. -
Investment Terms
This section outlines how much the investor is committing and at what price per share. In some cases, the investment may be structured in tranches, meaning the funds are released in stages based on the company hitting specific milestones, ensuring investors' capital is deployed efficiently. -
Liquidation Preference
One of the most critical terms, liquidation preference dictates how proceeds are distributed in a liquidity event such as an acquisition or IPO. A standard preference is 1x non-participating, meaning the investor gets their initial investment back first, and anything remaining is split among shareholders. In contrast, a participating preferred structure allows investors to receive their initial investment plus a share of the remaining proceeds, often leading to a higher payout for them. -
Anti-Dilution Protection
This provision protects investors if the company raises a future round at a lower valuation than the current one (a down round). Two common mechanisms are full ratchet, which adjusts the investor’s share price to the lower valuation, and weighted average, which adjusts it based on the size of the new round, offering a more balanced approach. -
Voting Rights & Control
Investors often negotiate veto rights over major company decisions, such as selling the company, issuing new shares, or taking on debt. The board composition section of the term sheet specifies how many seats investors will hold versus founders, influencing decision-making at the highest level. -
Founder Vesting & Lock-ups
To ensure founders remain committed to the company, term sheets often include vesting schedules that require them to earn their equity over time. A common structure includes a one-year cliff, meaning no shares vest until the founder has been with the company for at least a year, followed by time-based vesting over four years. -
Pro Rata Rights
Investors often negotiate pro rata rights, allowing them to maintain their ownership percentage by participating in future financing rounds. This ensures they can continue to invest and prevent dilution as the company grows. -
Exit Provisions & Drag-Along Rights
Drag-along rights allow majority shareholders to force a sale of the company under agreed-upon terms, ensuring that all investors, including minority shareholders, participate in an exit. This protects investors from being blocked by a small group of dissenting shareholders.
Understanding these terms helps founders negotiate better deals, avoid unfavorable clauses, and align incentives with investors. The term sheet sets the tone for the startup-investor relationship, making it essential to grasp the details before signing.
Click here to access the entire term sheet template.
Additional Resources
VC Fundraising Coach
Welcome to the VC Fundraising Coach! We've designed and calibrated this GPT specifically to help you with each step in the Fundraising Road Map course. We believe the best way to move from simply understanding fundraising concepts to using them effectively is to practice without the stress and pressure of real-world conversations and this GPT allows you to do just that. Copy one of the example prompts about negotiating venture terms below for a quick start or feel free to come up with your own!
Example Prompts
- What are common pitfalls founders face during term sheet negotiations?
- How does board composition impact founder control?
- Propose some mock terms that would be critical for me to focus on beyond just valuation.
Have your own OpenAI account? Access the VC Fundraising Coach here!
Lesson #7
Closing the Round
Introduction
"Term sheet secured, but closing timeline extended to 8+ weeks due to due diligence delays." It's a common update that makes every founder's heart sink. While getting to "yes" feels like victory, PitchBook data shows that up to 10% of venture deals fall apart between term sheet and close. The difference between a signed term sheet and money in the bank often comes down to preparation, organization, and relentless attention to detail.
Today's fundraising environment demands more thorough due diligence and documentation than ever before. What once took 2-3 weeks now commonly stretches beyond two months. Your ability to navigate this final phase efficiently doesn't just determine when you get funded – it can determine if you get funded at all.
Whether you're about to sign your first term sheet or preparing to close your Series C, mastering these fundamentals will help you transform investor interest into actual capital. Let's explore how to navigate this critical phase with confidence and control.
Concepts & How To's
When an investor expresses interest in funding your company, it's crucial to remember that there's still a significant gap between interest and actually closing the deal. Success in this phase requires preparation, clear communication, and systematic execution. We wrote a blog post about the three key topics to keep in mind when you’re in this closing stage. Here’s an overview of the most important takeaways:
1. Be Prepared Before the Commitment
Investors will move faster if you’re organized. Have your key documents, metrics, and data ready in a clean, accessible dashboard. This includes financials, growth metrics, customer data, and anything else they might need for due diligence. A strong data room signals professionalism and builds confidence.
2. Understand the Investor’s Process
Every investor has a unique internal decision-making workflow. Ask about the next steps, who else needs to approve, and what specific materials they require. Understanding their process allows you to be proactive rather than reactive, keeping momentum on your side.
3. Move Fast and Communicate Clearly
Once the process begins, prioritize responsiveness. Answer follow-up questions quickly, provide additional materials as needed, and ensure you’re aligned on timeline expectations. Proactive and transparent communication not only builds trust but also keeps the deal moving forward.
By preparing in advance, understanding the investor’s workflow, and maintaining strong communication, you’ll increase the likelihood of closing the deal efficiently—turning a commitment into capital in the bank.
Click here to read the blog post about what to do when an investor is ready to fund.
Additional Resource
Templates & Tools
Investor Agreement Template
At this stage of fundraising, securing an investor agreement ensures clarity on investment terms, ownership, governance, and exit strategies. Founders must structure these agreements carefully to protect both their company and investor relationships. We’ll focus this part of the lesson here based on our investor agreement template below:
1. Preliminary Information
This section lays the foundation by specifying the basic details of the agreement. It should clearly state the names, addresses, and legal statuses of both the company and the investor(s) to ensure all parties are unmistakably identified. The exact date when the agreement is executed should also be recorded to establish the legal context for the document.
2. Investment Details
Clearly articulating the specifics of the investment prevents misunderstandings and sets expectations. The agreement should specify the total capital the investor is committing and indicate whether the investment is in cash, assets, or services. If there are any prerequisites or performance milestones that must be met before the investment is disbursed, they should also be clearly outlined. Establishing these details ensures both parties understand the terms of the investment and the expectations for its deployment.
3. Company Valuation and Capital Structure
Transparency in valuation and capital structure is crucial for investors. The agreement should detail how the company’s valuation was determined, whether through a recent funding round, revenue multiples, or another method. Additionally, it should illustrate the post-investment capital structure, showing how ownership will be distributed after the investment, including equity percentages for all stakeholders. Providing this information allows investors to understand their stake and how the investment impacts the company’s ownership dynamics.
4. Roles and Responsibilities
Defining the duties and expectations of each party promotes accountability. The agreement should specify the investor’s role, including any operational involvement, advisory positions, or decision-making authority. On the company’s side, it should detail the commitments required, such as reporting obligations, use of funds, and performance benchmarks. By clearly delineating roles, the agreement helps prevent conflicts and ensures smooth collaboration.
5. Governance
Establishing governance structures ensures proper oversight and strategic direction. The agreement should define the structure of the board of directors, including any seats allocated to investors. It should also clarify the voting power of each party, particularly concerning major corporate decisions. This governance framework provides both the company and investors with a clear understanding of how decisions will be made and who has a say in critical business matters.
6. Financial Terms
Outlining financial arrangements provides clarity on monetary expectations between the company and its investors. If the company has a dividend policy, the agreement should state whether and when dividends will be distributed to shareholders. It should also define liquidation preferences, specifying the order and terms under which investors will be repaid in the event of liquidation. These financial terms protect investors' interests and clarify the financial relationship between the parties.
7. Exit Strategies
Planning for potential future scenarios is essential to prevent conflicts down the road. The agreement should specify the conditions under which an investor can exit the investment, such as reaching a certain valuation or a change in company leadership. It should also outline the available exit mechanisms, including initial public offerings (IPOs), acquisitions, or buybacks. Predefined exit strategies ensure that both parties are aligned on long-term plans and can prepare accordingly.
8. Confidentiality and Non-Disclosure
Protecting sensitive information is vital in any investor agreement. Confidentiality clauses should be included to ensure that proprietary information shared between the parties remains protected. Additionally, non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) should prevent either party from sharing sensitive information with third parties. These provisions help safeguard the company’s intellectual property and maintain trust between the company and its investors.
9. Dispute Resolution
Establishing mechanisms for resolving disagreements prevents prolonged conflicts that could harm the business. The agreement should define the preferred method of dispute resolution, whether through mediation or arbitration, ensuring that conflicts can be addressed efficiently. It should also specify the legal jurisdiction governing the agreement to determine where any legal disputes will be handled. By having clear dispute resolution procedures in place, both parties can avoid costly litigation and resolve issues more effectively.
By meticulously detailing these components, an investor agreement serves as a comprehensive guide for the partnership, ensuring that both the startup and its investors have a clear understanding of their rights, responsibilities, and expectations. A well-structured agreement fosters alignment, minimizes disputes, and helps create a strong foundation for long-term growth.
Click here for more about the investor agreement template.
Data Rooms for Due Diligence
Investors will conduct due diligence before wiring funds. Having a well-organized data room speeds up the process and signals professionalism. We make managing your data room a breeze with templates and track engagement so you know who's viewing what.
VC Fundraising Coach
Welcome to the VC Fundraising Coach! We've designed and calibrated this GPT specifically to help you with each step in the Fundraising Road Map course. We believe the best way to move from simply understanding fundraising concepts to using them effectively is to practice without the stress and pressure of real-world conversations and this GPT allows you to do just that. Copy one of the example prompts about closing your round below for a quick start or feel free to come up with your own!
Example Prompts
- What are the key documents and banking protocols I need to prepare before finalizing my funding round?
- What should be in my data room?
- How can I set up an efficient due diligence process to ensure a smooth and timely closing?
Have your own OpenAI account? Access the VC Fundraising Coach here!
Lesson #8
You Raised Capital, Now What?
Introduction
According to venture data, 75% of funded startups fail to provide returns to investors. The difference between success and failure isn't having capital - it's what happens in the critical 12-18 months after the round closes.
Closing your fundraise marks the beginning of a complex transition. You've traded the clarity of fundraising goals for the multifaceted challenges of execution, stakeholder management, and growth. How you manage this transition - particularly your relationships with new investors and deployment of capital - often determines your company's trajectory more than the amount raised.
Whether you've just closed your first seed round or completed a larger Series B, mastering these fundamentals will help you maximize the impact of your new capital and set the foundation for your next phase of growth. Let's explore how to transform fundraising success into operational excellence.
Concepts & How To's
Congratulations, you’ve just raise a round of funding! That’s the end of the process, right? Nope, it’s really just the beginning of a relationship that will last on average between 8-10 years. How you begin and grow this relationship will have a tremendous impact on the outcomes you’re able to achieve in the long run. We’ve found that successfully onboarding new investors boils down to three key elements: establishing clear expectations, defining metrics, and implementing effective communication systems. We’ve written about these topics in a blog post and have extracted the most important takeaways here:
1. Set Clear Expectations and Define the Relationship
Before diving into operations, align with investors on mutual expectations. Discuss their level of involvement—will they take an active role in advising, making introductions, or simply receive updates? Establish a clear communication cadence, determining how often and in what format you’ll be updating them. Identify specific areas where they can contribute beyond capital, such as offering strategic insights, helping with recruiting, or facilitating partnerships. Setting these expectations early prevents misunderstandings and ensures investors know how they can best support your business.
2. Define and Share Key Business Metrics
Investors need access to key performance indicators (KPIs) to track progress and offer relevant advice. Determine which metrics matter most for your business, such as revenue growth, customer acquisition cost, or churn rate, and decide how frequently you’ll report on them—whether monthly, quarterly, or another cadence. Choose the best format for sharing updates, whether through dashboards, structured email reports, or meetings. Providing consistent, structured insights keeps investors informed and enables them to provide timely and valuable input.
3. Establish a Communication and Reporting System
Regular, transparent communication builds trust and strengthens investor relationships. To avoid ad-hoc or inconsistent updates, create a structured investor update template to ensure consistency in your reporting. Decide on a set reporting frequency, such as monthly or quarterly, so investors know when to expect updates. Consider using investor relations tools like Visible to streamline reporting and engagement. A well-informed investor is more likely to provide support, make introductions, and offer strategic input when you need it.
Click here to read the full blog post about onboarding new investors.
Additional Resources
Templates & Tools
Investor Updates
If you want to build a strong relationship with your investors by updating them regularly, you have two choices: 1. track down everything they need to know manually and then email them all manually, or 2. leverage a platform like Visible to make the process a breeze. Here’s an overview of what it looks like to do so. See screenshots and videos in the link below.
1. Setting Up Your Metrics
Investors care about numbers, but they also want consistency. Inside Visible, you can connect your existing data sources—like Google Sheets, QuickBooks, or other integrations—to ensure you're sharing accurate, up-to-date metrics. If you don’t have automated data sources, you can manually input key financials, growth metrics, or operational KPIs.
2. Drafting Your First Update
Start with a structured format to make updates easy to digest. A simple framework includes:
- Key Highlights: Major wins or milestones since your last update
- Company Performance: Revenue growth, customer acquisition, burn rate, or other vital metrics
- Challenges & Asks: Areas where investors can provide help, whether it's hiring, intros, or advice
Visible’s update editor allows you to embed charts and tables, making data presentation clear and actionable.
3. Sharing and Engaging Your Investors
Once your update is complete, you can send it directly through Visible’s platform via email. The benefit? You get insights into who opened it, which helps you gauge investor engagement. Consistency is key—sending updates regularly (monthly or quarterly) keeps investors informed and makes them more likely to support you when you need it.
A well-structured investor update isn’t just a formality—it’s an essential tool for strengthening relationships and securing long-term support. With Visible, founders can streamline the process, ensuring they stay transparent, professional, and top-of-mind with investors.
Click here to learn more about Visible and see our Investor Updates in action.
Additional Resources
VC Fundraising Coach
Welcome to the VC Fundraising Coach! We've designed and calibrated this GPT specifically to help you with each step in the Fundraising Road Map course. We believe the best way to move from simply understanding fundraising concepts to using them effectively is to practice without the stress and pressure of real-world conversations and this GPT allows you to do just that. Copy one of the example prompts about investor relations below for a quick start or feel free to come up with your own!
Example Prompts
- How can I keep my investors updated in a sufficient and efficient manner?
- How often should I correspond with my investors?
- Ask me questions my board may ask about how I'm deploying capital after my fundraise.
Have your own OpenAI account? Access the VC Fundraising Coach here!