Fundraising

9 Simple Steps to Creating a Winning Pitch Deck. Best performing templates in 2022

9 Simple Steps to Creating a Winning Pitch Deck

Fundraising6 min read

Your pitch deck is one of the most important tools to help you fund your business venture. Learn how to build a better pitch deck in nine simple steps.

When to Take the CliftonStrengths Test

What Is the CliftonStrengths Test and Is It Worth Taking?

Fundraising5 min read

Taking the CliftonStrengths test can help you identify your strengths and leverage them for personal growth—but when is the right time to take it?

What Is A Startup MVP & How To Build One?

What Is A Startup MVP & How To Build One?

Fundraising10 min read

If you’ve been putting off launching a minimum viable product, you might be holding back your startup without even knowing it.

7 Tips for Networking at a Startup Conference

How to Confidently Network at a Startup Conference

Fundraising8 min read

Networking events can seem intimidating for new and experienced startup founders alike. Here are a few essential tips to help you navigate your next startup conference more successfully.

13 Smart Methods To Raise Money For a Startup

13 Smart Methods To Raise Money For a Startup

Fundraising10 min read

Nearly every startup or small business can benefit from some extra capital. The best way to get it depends on your situation. Check out our roundup of the 13 best methods for raising money for your startup.

How Pablo Palafox's Mentor Taught Him to Build Sales Skills as a Coder

How Pablo Palafox Used Mentorship to Build Sales Skills as a Coder

Fundraising2 min read

Pablo and his mentor have talked a lot about how to do sales and how to think about the customer. Things that, having a technical background, aren't traditionally his strong suit.

Putting Together A Superstar Startup Advisory Board

Putting Together a Superstar Startup Advisory Board

Fundraising6 min read

A startup advisor or an advisory board can make a huge difference to a startup. They are brought in to meet a focused need and must be chosen for their ability to meet that need.

VCs vs Angel Investors: How Can They Help Your Startup?

Angel Investor vs VC: How Are They Different?

Fundraising1 min read

Venture capital firm or angel investor? For many startup founders, this can be a tough decision. Here are the key differences you need to understand before you choose.

Which Types of Investors Fund Startups?

6 Different Types of Startup Investors

Fundraising8 min read

Every startup needs investors, but not every investor is the right fit. As a founder, it's important to understand which types of investors are the best match for each round.

Why Mentorship was Key to Andrew Smith's Successful Fundraise

Why Mentorship was a Key Ingredient to Andrew Smith's Successful Fundraise

Fundraising4 min read

Andrew says that what set his successful fundraise in motion was his experience with Mentorcam and the mentors that he met through there.

7 Ways Investors Evaluate Startups

How Do Investors Evaluate Startups?

Fundraising9 min read

Investors know exactly what they’re looking for before you walk in the door. If you want the best shot at impressing them, you should know what they’re looking for, too.

7 Tips for Negotiating a Term Sheet

How To Negotiate a Term Sheet

Fundraising6 min read

Term sheet negotiations may appear complicated, but they typically come down to a few key issues. Here are our best tips for navigating the process.

Assigning Deliverables for Better Project Management

How to Assign Deliverables that Hold You Accountable

Fundraising7 min read

Assigning and managing deliverables is one of the most important parts of ensuring successful project outcomes. Read this guide to learn more about how you should approach deliverables for your projects.

7 Tips for Building a List of Target Investors

How to Make a List of Target Investors

Fundraising4 min read

Your list of target investors is your roadmap to securing startup funding. Take these tips into consideration as you choose which investors to focus your efforts toward.

The Top 6 Traits Founders Should Look For in Investors

What Should Founders Look For in an Investor?

Fundraising6 min read

Before long, nearly every founder has to confront the issue of funding — but simply jumping at the first offer you get could be a big mistake.

28 Startups You Can Launch While You’re a Student

The 28 Best Startup & Small Business Ideas For Students In 2022

Fundraising21 min read

No degree? No problem. You don’t need to wait until you graduate to begin building your startup. Check out these 28 startup ideas you can put into action while you’re still a student.

What Is Pre-seed Funding? How to Raise a Pre-seed Round

What is Pre Seed Funding and How Do you Raise It?

Fundraising1 min read

The pre-seed funding stage is easily misunderstood, but getting it right can be what sets your startup on the path to success. Learn about when you should pursue pre-seed funding and how you can find the right pre-seed investors for your business.

4 Ways to Get More Out of Your Virtual Mentoring Sessions

4 Best Practices for Getting the Most Out of a Virtual Mentoring Platform

Fundraising8 min read

The rise of virtual mentoring platforms like Mentorcam presents an exciting opportunity for entrepreneurs. These four best practices are essential for getting the most out of your virtual mentorship.

What Kind of Equity Split Is Best for Startup Co-founders?

How to Split Equity Among Co-founders

Fundraising6 min read

Carefully considering how you’ll split equity is one of the keys to startup success. No matter how promising a startup looks, it’s unlikely to last long if an over-hasty equity decision deteriorates co-founder relationships.

How to Find an Advisor for Your Startup

How to Find an Advisor for Your Startup

Fundraising6 min read

You’re the founder of a startup who is looking for an advisor. It feels like shouting into the void, and you aren’t sure what you should even be shouting in the first place. Why do you need startup advisors? And how can you successfully find the right one for your startup?

The Mental Obstacles of Being an Entrepreneur

Entrepreneurship Can Be Lonely

Fundraising5 min read

Entrepreneurship is a rewarding career choice—but it’s also a lonely one. Find out why entrepreneurs face a greater risk of mental illness and learn what you can do about it.

How Clint Rogers Leverages Mentorship to Learn Startup Skills Faster

How Clint Rogers Used Mentorship to Learn Startup Skills Faster

Fundraising4 min read

With Mentorcam, Clint Rogers could find a mentor to give him personalized advice on tackling any sort of challenge. See what he got to learn from leaders who have overcome those obstacles themselves.

How To Find The Right Investors For Your Startup

How to Find The Right Investors for Your Startup

Fundraising4 min read

There is a lot going on behind the scenes when a startup seeks and receives funding. Fundraising is a careful process of finding an investor who believes in your vision and can be a long-term partner in your startup journey.

How to Set Achievable Goals As A Mentee

How to Set Achievable Goals As A Mentee

Fundraising6 min read

Setting effective goals is crucial for getting the most out of your relationship with a mentor. Find out how you can use the SMART philosophy to create meaningful, achievable goals for yourself.

Mentorship vs. Coaching: Similarities and Differences

Mentorship vs. Coaching: Similarities and Differences

Fundraising1 min read

Coaches and mentors can be pivotal in your personal development and help you reach your professional goals. Although the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, they are actually very different in several aspects.

How to Build Your Network to Connect with Investors

How to Build Your Network to Connect with Investors

Fundraising8 min read

Getting advice from a qualified mentor is one of the best ways to expand your investor network. Learn how to find the right investors, get introductions, and close successful deals with guidance from a mentor.

What Makes a Mentor and Mentee Relationship Successful?

Why a Strong Mentor and Mentee Relationship Improves Outcomes

Fundraising1 min read

Mentorship is extremely valuable — it can be the difference between a career that remains stagnant and one that flourishes to reach its full potential. However, not every mentoring relationship ends in successful outcomes. Find out what successful mentors and mentees do to build strong relationships.

Why Your Startup Needs a Founder Stock Vesting Agreement

What Is Founder Stock Vesting and How Does It Work?

Fundraising6 min read

Founder vesting agreements can be a sensitive matter — but it’s crucial for founding teams to consider stipulating a vesting period for everyone’s protection.

How to Raise a Seed Round in 5 Easy Steps

5 Steps to Raising a Seed Round

Fundraising6 min read

If you’re having a hard time raising a seed round, you’re not alone. Learn how to raise a seed round in 5 easy steps.

How to Use Multiple Mentors to Maximize Professional Growth

How to Maximize Professional Growth Using Multiple Mentors

Fundraising6 min read

It’s important to tailor your mentorship to the specific areas of professional growth in which you most need guidance. This often means working with multiple mentors at a time. Here’s how you can use multiple mentors to maximize your career growth.

What Type of Business Entity Should Your Company Be?

Types of Business Entities and Which to Pick

Fundraising7 min read

The type of legal entity you choose to register your business as has a major impact on your taxes, legal liability, fundraising options, and more. It’s not a decision to take lightly.

How Christian Durfee's Mentor Helped "Hyper Speed" His Pre-seed Round

How Christian Durfee's Mentor Helped "Hyper Speed" His Pre-seed Round

Fundraising3 min read

Christian says he got exactly what he was looking for in a mentor. Someone who loves to get in the trenches with founders and help build out.

21 Innovative Startup Ideas | 2022's Hottest Industries

21 Innovative Startup Ideas | 2022's Hottest Industries

Fundraising15 min read

No startup idea? No problem. Here are 21 ideas for innovative tech startups in 2022’s hottest industries.

7 Questions to ask VCs for a Winning Relationship

7 Questions Every Startup Founder Should Ask VCs

Fundraising8 min read

It’s very important to start off your relationship with a potential investor on the right foot. Here are seven of the best questions to ask potential VCs to make sure both parties get the most out of the partnership.

How to Stop Comparing Yourself to Other Founders

Startups Are Lonely

Fundraising6 min read

When you constantly compare your startup’s progress to the buzz you see about other successful startups, it can start to feel like you’re the only founder who doesn’t have it together. However, you may not be getting the whole story.

How You Can Use FOMO to Close an Investment Round

How to Create FOMO to Close an Investment Round For Your Startup

Fundraising4 min read

Every startup investor is hunting for the next success story—and many of them are afraid they’ll miss it when it comes along. Find out how founders can benefit.

Chris Yeh

Chris Yeh

Co-author - Blitzscaling,
Investor

Blitzscaling VenturesHarvard Business School

Chris Yeh is a writer, investor, and entrepreneur who has been in the world of startups and scale-ups since 1995. Co-author of the bestselling book Blitzscaling together ...

Available next Tuesday

Pitch practice
and blitzscaling

  • Scaling your startup
  • Fundraising
  • Growth strategy
  • Product-market-fit
  • Marketing
Jacob Jaber

Jacob Jaber

Co-founder – Philz Coffee,
Investor and Forbes 30 Under 30

Philz CoffeeTPG

Jacob Jaber is the Co-Founder & Chairman of Philz Coffee. As CEO for nearly two decades, Jacob grew Philz from the original coffee shop in San Francisco's Mission Distric...

Available next Monday

Growth and
marketing advice

  • Food & beverage startups
  • Getting into big retail
  • Expansion strategies
  • Fundraising
  • Marketing strategy
Edvard Engesaeth

Edvard Engesaeth

Co-founder – Nurx,
Y Combinator Alum

NURX.Union Square Ventures

Dr. Edvard "Eddie" Engeseath, MD is the Co-founder of telehealth startup Nurx, angel investor, startup advisor, and a former family physician. He founded Nurx to make pre...

Available next Monday

Growth and
fundraising advice

  • Fundraising
  • Deal making
  • Customer acquisition
  • Product-market-fit
  • Hiring strategy