If you want to build an iconic business, fundraising will be one of your most important jobs as a CEO.

Fundraising is a forcing function for getting better at explaining the business.

Always remember: you are worthy. Money is plentiful these days. YOU are the scarce resource. You're the one actually building the thing!

Self-confidence is key to fundraising.

Avoid high-ego investors at all costs.

The ideal is to unite confidence with kindness. Be aggressive. Have courage. Speak your truth. But also be respectful and cordial.

Investors want a founder who is relentless, unique, positive, and kind.

Make it clear that you’re mature and professional, which is required to attract top talent.

Be a visionary (creative, bold, unique vision), a thinker (critical thinker, open-minded, willing to change your mind), and a warrior (you will run through walls to win)

Authenticity is the key that unlocks everything in life.

Fundraising is purely a matter of momentum.

Fundraising process steps:

The most dangerous investors are the ones who drag out the process, wasting time while ultimately saying no

Ask investors who say no for the real reasons.

For seed rounds, product market fit is not a requirement.

If they say they want to invest, you have a 50% chance of closing

No celebrating until the money hits the bank.

Signs of bad investors: large ego, treating you with anything but the utmost respect, unsophisticated questions, extra steps, missed deadlines, unclear investment criteria, bad energy

No board seats until you’re raising a priced round.

Give board observer seats rather than board seats.

Don’t give preferred board seats, only common board seats.

Never give up a board seat in a seed round.

Don't tag team fundraising. One person needs to be ultimately responsible.

Excel columns: firm, target investor, last touchpoint, next step, interest level, notes on prior conversations

Don't allow series A/B firms to invest in your seed.

Don't tell investors who else you are talking to until they give you money.

Fundraising is a full-time job. Plan for 3-months at a minimum.

Raise on a SAFE and tell them your cap

“It gives us room for X additional hires, which help us capture market share faster or launch Y product Z months faster.”

SAFEs are flexible, allow you to close quicker, allow you to take money progressively.

Tell attorneys you want the most founder-friendly terms possible.

Practice your pitch to anyone who will listen.

Pitch framework:

Answers to questions should educate the investor on the market as a whole and how your business will win.

Start relationship building with investors 3-4 months in advance.

Relationships trump metrics. You want to find, work with, and get support from investors who are there for the right reasons and who value what you're trynig to build.

Momentum is everything. You have to drive urgency.

Start exercising for your health.

Start to get in the flow of a healthy diet.

Meal prep on Sundays.

Meals should be light and calorically restricted to keep your mind and body active.

Add blocks to your calendar to carve out exercise time.

Exercise helps reset the body and the mind.

Have a weekly check-in with someone who can help rationalize and normalize the crazy process of getting rejected a lot.

Schedule time to take breaks for at least 30 minutes every day.

Meditate every day.

May the force be with you.