How should founders connect with investors when fundraising?

Matthew Rabinowitz

Executive Chairman · Natera

Approach institutional investors early

Matthew Rabinowitz says raise institutional money as fast as you can and spend little, because if one institutional investor isn't convinced your plan suits the market, you have the wrong plan; investors also help with blind spots.

The answer starts at 34:52.

Mark Rushmore

Co-Founder · Suri

Be responsive and respectful

Mark Rushmore says founders should be responsive and respectful—responding to emails quickly, listening, asking investors' opinions—because investors want reassurance and certainty, and it can put them at ease.

Jonathan Awad

Co-Founder, CEO · Baselayer

Plan many investor meetings

Jonathan Awad says he planned all investor meetings a month in advance, segmented by week, after reasoning that being close and valuable to buyers would make them give him a chance.

Eoin Hinchy

Founder and CEO · Tines

Trust the people

Eoin Hinchy says trusting the people was crucial when picking investors, because he wanted board members who got it, understood the business and fought their corner, not ones he dreaded meeting.

Mark Hoadley

CEO · Hauler Hero

Ask for a 15‑minute pre‑event meeting via LinkedIn

Mark Hoadley says founders should LinkedIn every partner attending and ask for a 15-minute meeting before the event, because if they say yes before, they will say yes in person.

David R. Craig, MBA

Chief Executive Officer · Sarcomatrix

In‑person networking

David R. Craig says any way to get face to face is really good for connecting with investors, citing an investor who reached out to invest after he pitched in person.

The answer starts at 15:50.

Arvind Jain

Founder and CEO · Glean

Focus on the founder, not the idea

Arvind Jain says founders should focus on the founder, not the idea, because investors invest in people; early ideas change, so they are underwriting persistence rather than the pitch deck.

Mike Kim

Co-Founder & CEO · Mycroft

Be charming and confident

Mike Kim says the best way is to balance being charming and likable with a firm sense of how the world should be—he calls it arrogance—so you can convince investors to join your journey.

Create alternatives

Travis Kalanick says the best thing founders can do is have alternatives, because the deal will actually get done faster.

Victor Cardenas Codriansky

Co-Founder, CEO · Slash

Only raise when you have a clear need

Victor Cardenas Codriansky says founders should only raise when they need it or have a good reason, and ideally raise when they don't need the money to generate leverage.

Alex Konrad

Founder and Editor · Upstarts Media

Get referrals from trusted networks

Alex Konrad says the serious answer is referrals from trusted networks—from other founders and investors he likes—because he leans on those more than ever and already has familiarity with those founders.