Superhuman CEO Rahul Vohra joins us for an absolute masterclass on startup fundraising that shatters much outdated traditional wisdom in the space. We cover why it's possible to build momentum and raise even as a solo founder, how you should think about syndicates vs. "brand name" VCs, and why you always want to be preempted and how to make that happen. This episode is a 100% must-listen for anyone raising money now, or planning to in the future.
Sponsors:
Koyfin: https://bit.ly/acquiredkoyfin
Topics Covered:
- How to run a successful fundraising process
- Why founders should think about raising money as "creating a market" for their company's equity
- How to build fundraising momentum, and why you shouldn't be afraid of using outsourced design and development agencies
- Preempted fundraises vs marketed fundraises: why you always want to be preempted, and how to orchestrate that happening
- Non-obvious ways that founders should think about runway, amount to raise and raise-timing in order to always have leverage in fundraising conversations
- Round construction
- The value of "brand name" investors vs. non-traditional capital, and why you actually want both at different times
- Why founders might want to raise their first capital from other founders and operators (versus from funds)
- Why founders should put some of their own capital into early rounds
- How to use high-resolution financings (SAFEs and convertible debt) efficiently
- The concept of "interstitial financings", where you raise convertible debt in-between rounds, and when & how to use them
- Investing while also being a founder/operator
- Time/attention allocation and why it's now possible to do both effectively
- Flexibility to build positions over time vs. traditional fund structures
- Rahul's own angel fund with Todd Goldberg
- Bonus! The origin story behind the Superhuman name
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