b9ce6a415ff8f5896ee0805e692f99558dfa23b6-enhanced-38p

The speaker discusses important advice for founders raising pre-seed funds. They emphasize the importance of focusing on your story and traction. Early stage investors are interested in the team, the idea's potential, and how you solve a market problem. It is recommended to develop a clear and concise pitch deck and highlight small wins to demonstrate your ability to execute. Networking strategically and building relationships can increase your chances of finding funding. It is important to understand investment terms and seek legal advice. The speaker emphasizes the need to be realistic and prepared for rejections. Practice your pitch and personalize it for each potential investor. The speaker invites investors and startup founders to connect for further discussion. So I want to talk about this very important topic, right, about founders who are raising pre-seed funds, right? So if there is two advice that I would give you today that you need to take out would be to focus on your story and traction. Why does this matter? Early stage investors are betting on the team and not, you know, nothing else at this point. The team and the potential of the idea. They want to be captivated by your passion, your unique insights into the market problem and how you are solving this, you know, problem in a compelling way. Now how would you, you know, build a story that is empathetic, motivational and give you or build that traction would be, you know, you have to develop a crystal clear and concise pitch deck that communicates your vision. And why I say crystal clear is we've all seen 30, 40, 50 page documents. Maybe I'm at the airport so if there is a little noise in the background bear with me. You don't want to do that at this stage. You want a pitch deck that is as clear and concise, right? And highlight your small wins. For example, have you achieved early customer interest? Have you built a prototype? Have you formed key partnerships? Any form of traction demonstrates your ability to execute. When I started my consulting company one thing that really stood really strong irrespective of all the challenges that I went through building the company was strategic partnerships. I didn't have clients for a few months but my first clients came through partnerships and referrals, right? And I tried to network so much at that point. Another advice I would actually give you now, we're talking about network, is to network strategically and build relationships, right? You know, the truth is, seed funding often comes through warm introductions. Building connections within your industry or with investors interested in your niche can significantly increase your chance of finding the right fit, right? So how do you do this would be attend industry events, tap into your existing network, let's say for example, professors, colleagues, mentors. They may actually be very valuable. You might actually be underestimating that but they would come in very handy. And another thing would be be very proactive with your outreach, right? So don't just ask for funding. Seek advice, build relationships over time. Right now, working as a funding facilitator for me, I focus on relationships because I believe so much that relationships can open new doors and bring out opportunities or yield you had never imagined or even considered achievable at the time, right? So always consider this key point. Another thing would be understand the terms. For example, when you're negotiating investment terms, pay close attention to things like the valuation, the control, the potential of ownership and always seek legal advice. Always seek legal advice. And one more thing that I want to talk about before I end this would be let's all be realistic. Let's all be realistic. I know of this saying, people say, fake it until you make it. I really do not believe in that. I believe in being realistic. Not everyone would have to agree on this. You know, raising seed funds takes time and effort. And if we're being realistic, you have to be prepared to do a lot of outreach. Over 200 outreach, over 100 outreach. Another thing would be be mentally prepared for the rejections, right? A lot of them, a lot of investors are going to come back with, no, we're not interested. Most of them would come back and, you know, give you a reason why they're not moving forward. Most of them would eventually ghost you and you might think your business idea or you are the problem. It is not. It is not. And we're going to be talking about why they do that. You know, I will be addressing that in one of my newsletters. Now, like I said before, practice your pitch until it is clear, compelling and teller to each potential investor that you approach. So, for example, as a funding facilitator, I do have a portfolio, a very diverse portfolio, right? Different sectors. But when I approach investors, I only present investment opportunities that align with their areas of interest. And that is something you need to do as a founder or, you know, whoever you are seeking funding for any type of business. You have to personalize and perfect your pitch. So, thank you. That's what I wanted to share today. I will be doing more of, you know, all-year podcasts like this, in addition with the written guidelines that I have on my LinkedIn, on my Instagram and my Facebook. And also, I am looking forward to connecting with all of you guys. If you're an investor, please, I would appreciate the connection. If you're a startup founder seeking funding, I would also appreciate the opportunity for us to discuss about your funding needs and see how I can help you.