So You Want to Raise Venture Capital? Learn From 9 Founders Who Have Collectively Raised $1.8 Billion in Funding
Jul 4, 2023
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Miguel Armaza interviews 9 founders on their experiences raising venture capital. They discuss the importance of preparation, challenges faced in South Africa, advantages of bootstrapping, and building relationships with investors.
Founder Alex Prot advises founders to have a clear plan and take ownership of the fundraising process, while Laura Spiekerman and Tommy Nicholas emphasize the significance of building relationships and being proactive in networking within the industry.
Deep dives
Importance of Raising Money When Ready
Alex Prote, co-founder of Kunto, advises founders to raise money only when they're ready and to have a clear plan knowing potential investors, setting a timeframe and determining a suitable amount to raise. He emphasizes the need to manage and own the fundraising process, avoiding just taking calls and hoping for investors to show interest.
Creating Your Own Luck and Networking
Laura Speakerman and Tommy Nicholas, co-founders of Alloy, emphasize the role of luck in fundraising but also highlight the importance of being open to various opportunities and networking within the industry. They share their own struggles and countless rejections before achieving success, stressing the significance of building relationships and being proactive in reaching out.
Paying Attention to VC Feedback and Execution
Ita, CEO of Unit, highlights the value of listening to venture capital feedback and taking it into account as rejection reasons often correlate with potential business failure. He asserts that execution and de-risking are crucial for success, emphasizing the importance of focusing on building a resilient business rather than relying solely on investors.
In this special episode, Miguel Armaza brings you a curated selection of the best lessons, stories, and candid reflections about raising venture capital. You’ll hear directly from some of the strongest fintech entrepreneurs around the world spanning four continents. From the skyscrapers of New York, through the vibrant landscapes of Cape Town, up to the lively streets of Mexico City, over to the cafes of Paris, and all the way to the heart of Bogota.
The founders featured in this episode have built and continue building revolutionary companies. Many of them multi-billion-dollar enterprises. To get there, they’ve successfully raised venture capital from some of the most respected investors in the world.
In this episode, they reveal lessons they’ve learned and pass on valuable insights from their experiences. You’ll hear from nine founders, including:
Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur just starting your journey, or a seasoned founder facing new challenges, we hope you find valuable takeaways in this episode.
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Miguel Armaza is Co-Founder & Managing General Partner of Gilgamesh Ventures, a seed-stage investment fund focused on fintech in the Americas. He also hosts and writes the Fintech Leaders podcast and newsletter.