
Open Market Eric on Fundraising Dos and Don’ts
Nov 26, 2025
In this insightful discussion, Eric Franchi, a seasoned venture investor with a knack for fundraising strategies, shares essential advice for founders. He highlights the importance of warm intros and building a solid reputation to enhance fundraising efforts. Eric emphasizes crafting a concise pitch deck and knowing the right questions to ask VCs. He also warns against strategies like creating false urgency or showcasing premature exit plans that can backfire. Most importantly, he encourages resilience in the face of rejection, framing each 'no' as a learning opportunity.
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Warm Intros Beat Cold Outreach
- Get a warm intro or build familiarity before fundraising to borrow reputational credit.
- Market yourself consistently so investors know you before you ask for money.
Persistence Built A Meeting With Eric
- Jonathan Mafi repeatedly showed up publicly and built familiarity before emailing Eric.
- When he finally reached out Eric already felt like he knew him and took the meeting.
Always Send A Deck
- Always send a clear deck and a short blurb when asking for a meeting.
- Make the materials explain your product, market, team, and upside so they do work for you.
