Startup Fundraising

15 items

How to Raise Money (Paul Graham)

Essential essay on fundraising strategy. Covers when to raise, how much to raise, and negotiation tactics. Key insight: be in a position of strength before raising.

Essay Paul Graham
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How to Convince Investors (Paul Graham)

What investors look for and how to pitch effectively. Covers the importance of traction, team, and market. Key insight: convince yourself first.

Essay Paul Graham
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How to Raise Your First Round (Founder Institute)

Step-by-step guide to raising pre-seed/seed funding. Covers preparation, finding investors, pitching, and closing the round.

Guide FI
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YC Guide to Seed Fundraising

Comprehensive guide from YC on raising seed rounds. Covers mechanics of fundraising, SAFEs vs priced rounds, and common mistakes.

Guide YC
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Ultimate YC Application Guide

How to write a winning YC application. Covers each question, common mistakes, and what YC partners look for. Includes successful application examples.

Guide YC
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40 Startup Accelerators for Early-Stage Founders

Curated list of top accelerators beyond YC. Includes Techstars, 500 Global, Antler, and regional accelerators. Compare investment terms and focus areas.

List Accelerators
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50 Pitch Decks That Raised $380M+

Collection of real pitch decks from successful startups including Airbnb, Buffer, and Front. Study what works and adapt for your own pitch.

Examples Pitch decks
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Investor Update Template (500 Global)

500 Global template for monthly investor updates. Covers key metrics, wins, challenges, and asks. Keep investors engaged and helpful.

Template 500 Global
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Guide to Cap Tables for Founders

Everything you need to know about cap table management. Covers equity splits, option pools, dilution, and common mistakes to avoid.

Guide Equity
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Find Investors (Signal by NFX)

Database of investors to raise capital. Filter by stage, sector, and location. Includes contact info and investment thesis.

Tool Investor database
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One Minute Pitch (YC)

How to deliver a compelling one-minute pitch. Covers structure, delivery, and common mistakes. Practice until you can pitch in your sleep.

Video YC
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Index Ventures OptionPlan

Interactive tool for modeling employee equity. Calculate option grants, vesting schedules, and dilution scenarios.

Tool Equity
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Understanding SAFEs and Priced Rounds

YC explanation of SAFEs, convertible notes, and priced equity rounds. Covers mechanics, pros/cons, and when to use each.

Guide Legal
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Metrics That Matter to Investors

The key metrics VCs look for at each stage. Covers MRR, growth rate, churn, LTV/CAC, and unit economics. Know your numbers.

Guide Metrics
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Financial Model & Pitch Deck Templates

Collection of templates for financial models, pitch decks, and one-pagers. Start with proven structures and customize for your startup.

Templates Finance
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