Investors

This week I came across two photos of myself.

Why founders and investors need to stop confusing usage spikes with durable businesses.

Founders tell me all the time:

Founders... It's Super Bowl week.

A huge milestone for our team—and a lesson for every founder.

If you can’t explain what your startup does in 30 seconds, you don’t understand it yet.

Everything you need, step-by-step, to fill your investor pipeline fast.

And while every investor is different, they’re all listening for a few core signals in every pitch. Nail these, and you dramatically increase your odds of a follow-up meeting. Miss them… and you’re back in the inbox ether.

If you’re actively raising capital as an early-stage founder, you’re going to hear “no” — a lot. It’s not just normal. It’s essential. Rejection isn’t a roadblock; it’s part of the roadmap.

A strong follow-up from a founder is just as important as the pitch itself—because fundraising isn’t about one great meeting; it’s about building relationships over time.

For many early-stage founders, finding investors feels like searching for a needle in a haystack. Everyone talks about venture capital firms, angel networks, and accelerators—but what about the untapped opportunities that most founders overlook?

Finding the right investors is one of the most critical steps in your fundraising journey. With so many tools available today, the process has become more accessible—but also more competitive. To help you get ahead, I’ve compiled a list of the Top 10 Platforms to Find Investors in 2025, tailored specifically for early-stage founders.

In the startup world, the term "unicorn" is synonymous with massive success—a company valued at $1 billion or more. For many early-stage founders and investors, the idea of creating or backing the next unicorn can feel like the ultimate goal. But let’s take a step back and ask: Is chasing unicorn status really the right focus?

Investors vary in many ways... How can you, as a founder, engage with them to achieve the best success?