Guides for founders preparing to raise capital.
Plain-English explanations of how a capital raise works, what investors review and the terms you will see along the way. General information only, not legal, tax or investment advice.
Latest guides
- 3 min read
Are you ready to raise? Signs your company is fundable
Wondering if you are ready to raise capital? Here are the honest signs that your company is fundable, and the gaps to close before you start.
- 3 min read
The documents you need before you raise
A plain checklist of the documents you need before raising capital, from the pitch deck to the cap table, so you walk in ready instead of scrambling.
- 4 min read
How much capital should you actually raise?
A plain-English guide to how much money you should raise. Learn how to size a round around runway, milestones, and dilution without over or under raising.
Getting ready to raise
- 3 min read
Are you ready to raise? Signs your company is fundable
Wondering if you are ready to raise capital? Here are the honest signs that your company is fundable, and the gaps to close before you start.
- 3 min read
The documents you need before you raise
A plain checklist of the documents you need before raising capital, from the pitch deck to the cap table, so you walk in ready instead of scrambling.
- 4 min read
How much capital should you actually raise?
A plain-English guide to how much money you should raise. Learn how to size a round around runway, milestones, and dilution without over or under raising.
- 4 min read
The biggest mistake founders make when raising capital
The biggest mistake founders make when raising capital is not the one you expect. Here is the real trap, plus the common errors that cost founders.
- 4 min read
Red flags that kill a capital raise
Why capital raises fail, in plain English. The common red flags that stop a raise before it starts, and what founders can do about them early.
How a raise works
- 4 min read
Debt vs. equity: which is right for your raise?
A plain-English guide to debt vs equity financing. Learn the trade-offs, when each makes sense, and how founders should think about the choice.
- 3 min read
How investors size up a company in five minutes
The five things investors check first when they look at a company, so founders can prepare for that first read.
Terms and ownership
- 4 min read
What is a term sheet? Every key term explained
A plain-English guide to term sheets. Learn valuation, liquidation preference, option pools, board seats, and the key terms every founder should understand.
- 3 min read
What is a cap table? A founder's plain-English guide
A plain-English guide to cap tables. Learn what a capitalization table is, what it tracks, how dilution works, and why founders should keep it clean.
- 3 min read
How startup valuation actually works
A plain-English guide to how business valuation works. Learn the common methods, what really drives a number, and why founders should understand it.
Planning a raise in the next twelve months?
The application takes about two minutes and creates no obligation.