How to raise a seed round. Just one process, adjust accordingly. Missing lots of nuance.

1/ Understand your business, its strengths and weaknesses. Look up metrics for similar business models at your stage to get context. Build your own pro forma, review w others.

2/ Build a list of Angels/VCs: dream/top tier, in your network, local, thematically fit. Prioritize A-C. Use LinkedIn to find potential intro paths. Track connectors in fundraising CRM.

2/ Practice your story. Talk to 30-100 ppl (friends, mentors, customers, connectors). Figure out what feels right, resonates. Ask connectors if they’d be willing to make intros (forward an email) when you’re ready.

3/ In parallel to above, build your deck. Write a nararrative, it should read like a story. Tell a big picture. Slide titles first, then content, then design. Get feedback along the way.

4/ Plan for speed if possible to leverage momentum. Clear 50% of your sched, prep your team.

5/ Get intros to all C priority prospects at once, start there because your pitch will get better over time. Set up meetings in a tight timeframe.

6/ If you don’t have a strong network, or even if you do, leverage startup/investor matching tools and don’t hesitate to cold email.

7/ Get intros to all B priority prospects as soon as you’ve set mtngs w C prospects or you get a term sheet/lead.

8/ Get intros to all A priority prospects as soon as you’ve set mtngs w B prospects or you get a term sheet/lead.

9/ Take notes during meetings. Questions, concerns, and especially if they mention metrics they’d like to see now or for future rounds. Ask to add them to an investor update.

10/ Send regular investor updates (maybe once or twice a month) during your fundraise to share traction growth, new customers, product launches and anything exciting.

11/ Along the way, very helpful to have at least 1-2 ppl who you can chat w regularly about how your raise is going, ideally someone w experience.