Standing out in a crowded fundraising market

Greetings, Chief Storytelling Officers.

IPOs are coming back and that’s a great sign for founders everywhere. Instacart and Klaviyo bringing the heat!

I know it’s felt like a long cold winter but keep pushing forward. Things are thawing out and I can’t wait to hear from some of you who raise your rounds in the next few months.

-Robbie

Show investors you are “The One”

When you face an investor, there's one core message you need to convey: You're a special founder.

But how?

Here's a breakdown:

1. When Have You Been World-Class?

The first checkpoint is to prove you've been exceptional at something. But world-class doesn’t necessarily mean coming first in a national championship. It’s about demonstrating excellence. Maybe you’re multilingual, played at Juilliard, started a business as a teenager, ran a gaming empire, or like me, tried 102 jury trials putting me at the top 1% of trial lawyers in the US.

2. Why Are You Passionate?

Investors need to see the fire in your belly. What's the deep passion that drives you to get past the lows, to push on through the challenges? For some, like the founder of Shopify, it's about solving a problem they've experienced.

For others, like Conor McGregor, it's a profound desire to support their family. Pinpoint and articulate that 'why' that ensures you never stop.

3. Do You Have Delusional Confidence?

Yes, delusional. Like Arnold Schwarzenegger, who against all odds became Mr. Olympia, a movie star, and the governor of California. Or Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who confidently announced his arrival to MLS with a simple “You're welcome, L.A.” note. It's that unwavering belief in your path to success.

Remember, investors aren't just investing in the current iteration of your business; they're investing in you. Your venture might pivot, adapt, or re-invent itself, especially in a landscape that's rapidly evolving with technologies like generative AI. The constant? Your resilience, ambition, and vision.

So when you stand in front of that investor, ensure they walk away thinking, "That’s a special founder."

Because special founders not only secure investments, but they also build iconic companies.

I’m never going to tell you this stuff is easy because it’s not.

What I will tell you is that if you can answer these 3 questions in a powerful way, you can pull off the impossible.

It won’t always feel comfortable. It definitely won’t feel easy.

That’s why it’s worth it.

I know for me there’s nothing that will stop me.

I hope that’s the same for you.

I hope to see many of you at the top of the mountain.

Let the world know…

You are a special founder.

What I’m seeing in the market

The narrative put out by investors over the past year has created a great deal of fear and uncertainty. I see too many founders falling into that trap.

Don’t be passive when you’re talking with investors. You have to run a tight process and stay in charge. You need to have a firm perspective and understand frame control (I wrote a bit about this on LI recently).

Money is a commodity. Great ideas with brilliant founders that can execute on them are not a commodity. Remember that when you go into investor calls. They need you.

[Resources Theme of the Week]

Being articulate when speaking with investors is one of the quickest ways to create connection and build trust. Don’t wait to master this skill as I can promise you investors are judging you every single time you talk with them (it’s their job).

***

When you get to Series B and later be especially careful of the investors you bring onto your journey. Paul Graham says more here.

***

Announcing your fundraise is a huge moment and when done right can create tons of momentum for your company. This breakdown from Lulu Cheng Meservey walks you through how you can do it looking at a recent announcement as a template.

Are you fundraising?

If you’re currently fundraising or plan to soon and want to raise more, faster, and master you story, reach out to us.

I’m currently fully booked but if you want to work together getting on the waitlist now is the place to start.