Fundraising steps, end to end.

Each phase has its own narrative, instruments, and signals. Move through them deliberately — investors at each stage are reading for different things.

Pre-Seed & Conviction

Validate the fundamental thesis. Focus on technical prototyping, core team formation, and the earliest signs of demand.

• 01Incorporate (Delaware C-Corp or local equivalent)
• 02Assign IP & sign founder agreements
• 03Build MVP and recruit 10 design partners
• 04Draft a 1-page narrative & deck (10–12 slides)
• 05Open a SAFE round with a clear post-money cap

Seed

Demonstrate initial market resonance. Professionalize the cap table, hire the founding team, and prove a repeatable wedge.

• 01Reach $10–30K MRR or strong qualitative traction
• 02Hire 3–6 key engineers / GTM leads
• 03Build a data room (metrics, cohorts, cap table)
• 04Run a 4–6 week structured process with a lead
• 05Negotiate priced round: pref shares, board seat

Series A

Scale the unit economic model, formalize board governance, and turn early traction into a repeatable revenue engine.

• 01Reach $1–2M ARR with healthy retention
• 02Demonstrate CAC payback < 18 months
• 03Codify GTM motion and sales playbook
• 04Recruit independent board member
• 05Negotiate pro-rata, info rights, protective provisions

Series B & Beyond

Compound the growth machine. Expand into new markets, harden operations, and prepare for late-stage capital or exit.

• 01Reach $5–15M ARR with > 100% NRR
• 02Build finance, legal, and people functions
• 03Open new geographies or product lines
• 04Engage growth/crossover funds
• 05Model secondary liquidity for founders & early team