Fundraising 101 for early stage entrepreneurs

ANOJ VISWANATHAN, Co-founder, Milaap.org

anoj@milaap.org+91 9611 631 386

THANK YOU

Paul GrahamChris Dixon

Our Advisors & Investors

My fellow co-founders – Sourabh & Mayukh

Be in fundraising mode or not.

The best time to start fundraising was Yesterday.

Get Things in Order. Founders’ equity and vesting to begin

with.

CEO’s Job = Fundraising.When not Fundraising, he must be Hiring.

Underestimate how much you need. 2X Need = Your want.

Get introductions to investors, ideal investors.

Don’t get Friend-zoned.Hear no or Hear yes.

Interest ≠ Offer.Offer ≠ Closure.

Yes in networking/email = Interest Signed Term Sheet = Offer.

Money in the Bank = Closure.

Memorize your term sheet.Make Notes.

No Question is Stupid. You’ll be surprised.

99.137% of the world doesn’t understand convertible notes.

Join the Club.

Get a successful 1st gen entrepreneur to help you in negotiation.

<you can’t afford a lawyer anyway>

Prioritize non-negotiables. You can’t have it all.

Get the first commitment.

Close committed money.

Accept offers greedily.

Acceptable Offer – Take it. Incompatible Offers – Pick the Best‘Expecting A Better Offer’ – Wake Up!

No Offer – Get Back to Work

Avoid adjectives – ‘Smart’ Money, ‘Impact’ Money.* Money = Money + Vision Fit

*exceptions apply.

Avoid investors who don't "lead.”*

*exceptions apply.

Don't be stuck at valuation.Don't be stuck at valuation.

Keep Communicating with Investors post Term Sheet.EVERY DAYEVERY DAY

EVERY DAY

Fundraising is a Milestone, not an Achievement.

Achievement = Traction, Revenues.