They raised millions for their startups... but how?
How do entrepreneurs convince people to give them money? We profile founders who've gone through the fundraising gauntlet in order to get their venture off the ground.
They raised millions for their startups... but how?
How do entrepreneurs convince people to give them money? We profile founders who've gone through the fundraising gauntlet in order to get their venture off the ground.
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They raised millions for their startups... but how?
How do entrepreneurs convince people to give them money? We profile founders who've gone through the fundraising gauntlet in order to get their venture off the ground.
Latest Episodes
Check out our latest chats with awesome founders.
TBC: Rest
Founders heavily live in "grind culture" - working long hours and setting aside various personal parts of their lives to achieve their career goals.
However, as we near the end of another year, it's important to remember that we all need a break.
Take this holiday season as an opportunity to reset your mind and make your journey exciting again.
In this episode, Jason Yeh talks us through the importance of getting rest in the midst of working hard for your company.
He shares some stories about how taking breaks from pitch decks and fundraising actually helps you more than you think.So get cozy, clear your mind, and tune in with us as we end this year well-rested.
May your holidays be warm and joyous. Cheers!
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If you're looking for more fundraising content, grab my weekly newsletter packed full of strategies and insights around how to raise money: fundedpod.com/newsletter
TBC: How VCs are Trained
We all have to start from somewhere small, and venture capitalists are not an exception.
They aren't magically "experts" in the field and know every twist and turn - VCs undergo training like the rest of us.
In today's episode, Jason Yeh talks about what processes VCs go through to be considered experienced VCs who are looked up to in the industry.
He covers what such training means to founders who brave the battlegrounds of raising money and responding to feedback.
Tune in and discover the importance of knowing the different experiences VCs go through that molds them and their standards in deciding where to put their money.
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If you're looking for more fundraising content, grab my weekly newsletter packed full of strategies and insights around how to raise money: fundedpod.com/newsletter
TBC: The Ability to Be Great is Everywhere but Resources are Not
Being a great entrepreneur is a commitment to continuous growth, learning, and experience.
There isn’t only one profile of a great entrepreneur - it can be anyone and anywhere.
One that might hold back success? Lack of resources.
In today’s episode, Jason Yeh talks us through the impact of having support structures and a solid network in one’s fundraising journey - and the absence of them as well.
We all have that potential or spark in us. But the harsh reality is that not everyone gets to turn that spark into a burning fire.
So what do we do then? Tune in as Jason discusses this challenge in the world of entrepreneurship.
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If you're looking for more fundraising content, grab my weekly newsletter packed full of strategies and insights around how to raise money: fundedpod.com/newsletter
TBC: Decks as Appetizers
Did anybody say appetizers? We’re all in 🤤!
Appetizers are underrated and frequently overlooked, but they are no less important than the main course, don’t you think?
They get people excited and look forward to the next dish.
Appetizers are an excellent primer for what’s yet to come - the main course.
In today’s episode, Jason Yeh talks about the appetizer in fundraising: pitch decks.
Join us as Jason talks about overcoming the feeling of unworthiness when pitching, improving your decks, and attracting the best investors in your deal.
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If you're looking for more fundraising content, grab my weekly newsletter packed full of strategies and insights around how to raise money: fundedpod.com/newsletter
A Bubble Valuation That's Not So Inflated? (Bubble)
Episode Summary
Setting the right company valuation is a complex and pivotal process that significantly impacts its future. Striking a balance is crucial - too high may deter investors, while too low could result in giving away too much. However, Emmanuel Straschnov, co-founder of Bubble, defied the norm by deliberately seeking a lower valuation in the seed round. Contrary to expectations, this strategic move proved successful, as Emmanuel later secured a massive $100 million funding round from prominent investors. By prioritizing a broader perspective and leveraging his unwavering passion, Emmanuel shares his remarkable fundraising journey for Bubble in this episode, shedding light on his unique and risky valuation strategy.
Resources Mentioned
Follow Us
Emmanuel Straschnov
Bubble
Funded
Jason Yeh (host)
Contact Us / Misc
- Reach out to us on social or email me directly at jason@fundedpod.com if you have any questions or would like to share your story with us!
- If you're looking for more fundraising content, grab my weekly newsletter packed full of strategies and insights around how to raise money:
- fundedpod.com/newsletter
- If you’re fundraising, make sure you send your materials via a document sharing tool. Even if they weren’t our presenting sponsor, we’d still recommend you use DocSend - www.docsend.com/funded
- Vanta helps maintain SOC2, HIPAA, ISO27001 compliance by integrating directly into your systems and automating a lot of the time intensive process. Get $1000 off at vanta.com/funded
TBC: The Importance And Fragility Of Credibility
The key to creating a remarkable network and achieving a successful fundraise? Credibility.
In this episode, Jason Yeh talks about credibility - how important and fragile it is when you are a founder looking for your investors.
With everything uncertain in the startup and fundraising world, credibility is one of the few things investors predictably rely on.
Tune in with this episode and find out stories about credibility, its importance, and how you can safeguard it!
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If you're looking for more fundraising content, grab my weekly newsletter packed full of strategies and insights around how to raise money: fundedpod.com/newsletter
TBC: Explaining "this isn't venture-backable"
Getting constructive feedback from experienced investors has always been part of any founder’s journey.
When it comes to feedback, it’s vital that you accept this truth: your business is not for everyone, and that’s okay.
Some will like it, some might take time to see your vision, and some will immediately reject it.
In this episode, Jason Yeh talks about one of the most famous painful pieces of feedback that investors give founders: “This isn’t venture-backable.”
That feedback isn’t the end of the fundraising journey though. There are things to consider and actions to take before really deciding whether or not your business is venture-backable.
Don’t miss this episode and find out the truth behind that statement, how you should take it, and what actions you should follow up with.
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If you're looking for more fundraising content, grab my weekly newsletter packed full of strategies and insights around how to raise money: fundedpod.com/newsletter
Being The Pattern (Stax)
Episode Summary
As a first-time founder and fundraiser, finding a guide is crucial. Typically, you seek successful founders or companies in your industry with similar backgrounds and visions to emulate. But what if you're entering uncharted territory with no models to follow? This was the predicament faced by Suneera Madhani, CEO and founder of Stax. Despite lacking a guide, patterns, or representation, Suneera, driven by her solution-oriented upbringing, forged her own path. In this episode, Suneera recounts the challenges she encountered, including the need to raise funds and navigate the venture world without prior experience, ultimately leading her billion-dollar company, Stax.
Resources Mentioned
Follow Us
Suneera Madhani
Stax
Funded
Jason Yeh (host)
Contact Us / Misc
- Reach out to us on social or email me directly at jason@fundedpod.com if you have any questions or would like to share your story with us!
- If you're looking for more fundraising content, grab my weekly newsletter packed full of strategies and insights around how to raise money:
- fundedpod.com/newsletter
- If you’re fundraising, make sure you send your materials via a document sharing tool. Even if they weren’t our presenting sponsor, we’d still recommend you use DocSend - www.docsend.com/funded
- Vanta helps maintain SOC2, HIPAA, ISO27001 compliance by integrating directly into your systems and automating a lot of the time intensive process. Get $1000 off at vanta.com/funded
TBC: Why In-person Meetings Are So Valuable
Now that the world is slowly emerging from the pandemic that transformed our lives over the past two years, it’s about time that things go back to normal.
Catching up in person, talking over coffee, meeting for dinner - it’s been a while, and a trip to Brazil for a live workshop reminded Jason why face-to-face is so important.
In this episode, Jason talks about the power of holding in-person meetings.
Despite the convenience that zoom meetings offer founders and investors, nothing beats the experience of sitting across the table from the person you’re talking to.
What can in-person meetings specifically bring to the table that long hours over zoom could never?
Tune in to this episode as Jason discusses his observations around the difference between online and in-person meetings.
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If you're looking for more fundraising content, grab my weekly newsletter packed full of strategies and insights around how to raise money: fundedpod.com/newsletter
TBC: Eisenhower Matrix And Health Insurance
Prioritizing tasks during fundraising preparation is one of the essential things a founder must stay on top of.
A common struggle with this is starting to work on important fundraising tasks that don’t feel urgent.
In today’s episode, Jason talks about the Eisenhower matrix - a matrix that explains the different tasks you encounter, the struggle of prioritizing those tasks, and how you can deal with it all.
Discover the “danger zone” in the Eisenhower Matrix of fundraising preparation and what you can do to avoid it.
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If you're looking for more fundraising content, grab my weekly newsletter packed full of strategies and insights around how to raise money: fundedpod.com/newsletter