Linear's CEO ignores most inbound VC interest to avoid distraction. However, he strategically meets a few select VCs each year to build relationships. This creates a pre-vetted shortlist of ~5 firms, making the actual fundraising process faster and more focused when the time is right.

Raise capital when you can clearly see upcoming growth and need resources to service it. Tying your timeline to operational milestones, like onboarding new customers, creates genuine urgency and momentum. This drives investor FOMO and helps close deals more effectively than an arbitrary deadline.

In a challenging fundraising climate, formal processes are insufficient. SpliceBio's CEO secured their lead Series B investor by starting informal conversations a full year before the official round. This long-term relationship-building establishes trust and allows investors to track execution over time, which is critical when capital is tight.

Effective fundraising isn't a single event but a process. By conducting regular 'non-deal roadshows,' you build investor confidence and prove management's ability to execute on promises over time. This makes the eventual request for capital much more likely to succeed because trust has already been established.

Raising venture capital is often a network-driven game. If you don't already have a network of VCs or a clear path through an accelerator, your focus should not be on fundraising. Instead, dedicate your effort to building a product people want and gaining traction. VCs will find you once you have something compelling to show.

Prepared's founder rejected running a formal fundraising process. Instead, he had infrequent 'coffee chats' with investors to share progress. This built relationships and momentum, leading to preemptive term sheets and much faster closes without the distraction of a full-time fundraise.

Instead of a formal roadshow, founders should let future lead investors invest small amounts months in advance. Providing them with regular updates and hitting stated milestones builds immense trust, making the actual fundraise a quick, targeted process that optimizes for partner over price.

Fundraising isn't a unique skill; it's a direct application of enterprise sales principles. Founders with a sales background have a significant advantage because they can apply the same tactics of pipeline management, relationship building, and closing to secure investment.

Instead of broad roadshows, Deel's CEO builds deep relationships with a few key investors. By giving them continuous access to business data, he creates a dynamic where investors proactively offer term sheets, avoiding the traditional fundraising grind.