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

Last week, we took The Pitch Lift to Los Angeles Tech Week — and this one was something special.

A founder story about clarity, courage, and a literal elevator pitch.

Lately, I’ve had too many calls with founders who are pre-product, pre-revenue, pre-launch… and already trying to raise millions.

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?

Your fundraising slowdown might not be about your traction — it may be about signals you’re unintentionally sending. These five red flags often derail investor interest, but the good news is they’re all fixable.

Fundraising requires resilience, persistence, and a willingness to keep going through tough setbacks

Common Mistakes Founders Overlook

Fundraising doesn’t have to feel chaotic or overwhelming. With the right structure, story, and strategy, you can turn a stressful process into a confident, predictable path forward. Here’s how to transform the way you raise capital.

You’re not alone if fundraising feels overwhelming. Even great founders struggle because the process is unclear, inconsistent, and often stacked against early-stage teams. Let’s break down why — and how to navigate it.

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

Let's explore the top 5 accelerators in the USA for startup founders in detail

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