Read time: 3 min
Most founders don’t fail at fundraising because they’re bad at pitching.
They fail because they pitch way too soon .
Without prep.
And it shows .
Here’s the truth:
If you want investors to chase you …need to do the work before Day 1.
So today, I’m giving you the exact checklist top founders run before even sending their first deck.
The same playbook used by a portfolio founder of mine, who raised in 3 weeks, while others are still “starting to line up intros.”
1. Make sure your story punches If you can’t explain what you’re building and why now in 30 seconds…
Your story isn’t just “what you do.”narrative arc . The shift you’re betting on. The hero’s journey.
Sharpen this first.lands .
2. Build your investor pipeline before you need it Fundraising is sales.
I include this in my Notion template, but the steps are:
→ Start with 100+ names
This alone can 10x your odds.
Need investors? Check out my ultimate investor list of lists .
3. Prep your materials like you already raised Pitch decks aren’t the only doc that matters.
The best founders show up ready .
→ Crisp, custom pitch deck
These details signal competence .
Want the best startup pitch deck ever built ?awesome dataroom template ?
4. Seed the round before it’s open If your first call is when you “start” raising, you’re already behind.
The best founders:
Create FOMO before the game starts.
5. Know your numbers better than the investor You must know your numbers cold.
→ Traction Valuation TAM, SAM, SOM
If you can’t explain how you got to each confidently, they’ll walk.
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