How To Raise Capital Successfully with Dan Siroker
Nov 29, 2023
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Dan Siroker, Co-founder and CEO of Rewind, raised a $15M Series A at a $350M valuation by publicly putting his pitch deck on X (formerly Twitter), received 170 offers for investments ranging from $200M to $1B valuations. They discuss his unconventional approach to raising capital, timeless principles for fundraising, and lessons learned from his experience. They also explore the significance of trust, transparency, and alignment of values with investors. Additionally, they delve into the importance of uncovering insights through hypothetical questions and the pros and cons of higher valuations and long-term vision in investors.
Dan Siroker raised a $15 million series A publicly on social media by putting his pitch deck on Twitter, resulting in over 170 offers for investment ranging from $200 million to a billion-dollar valuation.
When choosing investors, Dan prioritized values alignment and long-term orientation, ensuring they trusted and aligned with his vision, rather than trying to replace him or exploit the company's dynamics.
Deep dives
Unconventional Series A Fundraising Approach on Twitter
Dan Siroker, co-founder and CEO of Rewind, raised a $15 million series A publicly on social media by putting his pitch deck on Twitter. This unique approach generated a massive response, with over 170 offers for investment ranging from a $200 million to a billion-dollar valuation. By being transparent and showcasing the company's real business and strong financials, Dan built trust with potential investors. Additionally, the timing aligned with the AI hype cycle, generating significant interest. Ultimately, Dan raised $15 million at a $350 million valuation with $700k in ARR, proving the success of his unconventional approach.
Selecting Investors Based on Values Alignment and Long-Term Orientation
When choosing investors for Rewind, Dan prioritized values alignment and their long-term orientation towards building a successful company. He aimed to find investors who trusted and aligned with his vision, rather than trying to replace him or exploit the company's dynamics. Dan also emphasized the importance of doing thorough due diligence, including talking to references and backchannel references. By asking specific questions, such as envisioning a scenario where the investment didn't work out and understanding their first instinct, Dan gained valuable insights and identified the right investors who were aligned with the company's long-term goals.
Lessons Learned from Fundraising Experience
Dan shared several important lessons from his fundraising experience, advising founders to remember that raising money is a means to an end, not the ultimate goal. He emphasized the significance of values alignment, fair valuation, and ensuring investors do no harm to the company. Dan also highlighted the importance of resilience in the face of rejections, as even the most successful companies face numerous "no" responses. Furthermore, he encouraged founders to understand the investors' goals and seek alignment where both sides win in the long run. Lastly, Dan debunked concerns about competition, stating that being more public in fundraising can lead to finding the perfect match and market prices.
Episode 74: Alex Lieberman (@businessbarista) speaks with Dan Siroker (@dsiroker), co-founder and CEO of Rewind, who raised a $15M Series A at a $350M valuation by publicly putting his pitch deck on X (formerly Twitter). Dan received 170 offers for investments ranging from $200M to $1B valuations. In addition to discussing his highly unconventional approach to raising capital, Alex and Dan discuss timeless principles for fundraising.