The hottest Fundraising Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Don't give your investors common stock.

The Founder Memo • 19 implied HN points • 28 Apr 24
💼 Business Fundraising
  1. Investors should receive preferred stock, while those who contribute time and effort get common stock. This keeps things clear and avoids complications.
  2. Issuing common stock to investors can inflate the stock price and make it harder for employees to buy in. Using preferred stock keeps the value lower for common shares.
  3. Mixing stock types complicates corporate governance, making it tougher to manage rights and responsibilities. It's best to keep it simple with preferred for money and common for effort.

Building Codiga: Choosing Advisors

Tech Ramblings • 59 implied HN points • 26 Sep 23
💼 Business Fundraising
  1. When choosing advisors for your startup, make sure they can provide real value. Some people only want to collect equity without helping you.
  2. Look for advisors with different perspectives and experience than you. They should challenge your thinking and guide you in important decisions.
  3. Advisors should be motivated to help for the right reasons, not just for money. Choose those who are passionate about your mission and want to support your growth.

Brumbies v Lions

Ben’s Blog 🏉 🧠🧑‍💻 • 29 implied HN points • 08 Jul 25
🎾 Sports Fundraising
  1. The Brumbies are playing the Lions, and it's a big event for the community. Many people are excited and attending, which shows the local love for rugby.
  2. A lot of effort has gone into planning this event for nearly three years. The goal is to make it memorable and raise money for community rugby support.
  3. The importance of rugby and its history is highlighted, especially remembering a special past win against the Lions. There's hope to give back to the sport that has brought so much joy.

Neurotech Notables #4: March 2024

NEUROTECH FUTURES • 19 implied HN points • 15 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Fundraising
  1. Neurotech industry saw significant fundraising, with companies like Phagenesis, Neurable, and Nalu Medical securing multimillion-dollar investments for various neurotech projects.
  2. The launch of the Implantable Brain-Computer Interface Collaborative Community (iBCI-CC) marked a significant development in guiding Brain-Computer Interface technology into the future through collaborative efforts with foundations, startups, and regulatory bodies.
  3. Various industry news and regulatory updates highlighted advancements in neurotechnology, such as Sensory Stimulation for Alzheimer's, neuromodulation for long COVID by Parasym, and FDA breakthroughs for companies like SetPoint Medical and Empatica.
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Surviving the end-goal ICP 🌤

The SaaS Baton • 39 implied HN points • 21 Jun 23
💼 Business Fundraising
  1. Startups selling to other startups may not have their founder persona as the eventual ICP.
  2. Even with initial success, it's important for startups to continuously adapt and grow to meet market demands.
  3. When pitching to VCs, consider sending a separate pre-read document to control the narrative and ensure alignment in meetings.

Different Strokes For Different Folks

Investing 101 • 69 implied HN points • 26 Oct 24
💼 Business Fundraising
  1. Different venture funds have unique strategies. Some focus on raising large amounts of capital for many investments, while others prefer to make fewer, more targeted investments.
  2. Success in venture capital isn't guaranteed, no matter how fancy the fund. It's crucial for firms to find their own style and approach to increase the chances of success for their startups.
  3. Having a clear focus can be a big advantage. Smaller funds can compete effectively by honing in on specific areas and being selective about their investments.

The Journey of Glovo: Founder Sacha Michaud

The Healthtech Initiative • 1 implied HN point • 01 Feb 26
💼 Business Fundraising
  1. They tested an unscalable MVP and deliberately kept non-food categories even while losing money, which proved the "anything in your city" idea and let them pivot quickly to groceries during COVID.
  2. They expanded with small, scrappy launch teams who built local operations from the ground up, and those boots-on-the-ground employees became the strongest leaders because they had real skin in the game.
  3. They prioritized market leadership and capital efficiency, exiting losing markets and using logistics data to only enter cities and verticals they could serve under their 30-minute promise, a focus that helped drive their €2.3B acquisition.

A New Chapter At FreakTakes

FreakTakes • 43 implied HN points • 10 Jan 25
💼 Business Fundraising
  1. FreakTakes is evolving as a research platform to help people build and grow organizations focused on research and development. The main goal is to connect ambitious researchers with the resources they need.
  2. The blog will expand to include interviews and proposals aimed at fostering new R&D organizations. This expansion is meant to create more opportunities for innovative projects and collaborations.
  3. The author expresses gratitude for the supportive community around FreakTakes and looks forward to translating historical research insights into real-world action at Renaissance Philanthropy, while maintaining the core essence of the blog.

My Book, Get Funded!, Is 50% Off This Weekend!

Startup Strategies • 14 implied HN points • 13 Jun 25
💼 Business Fundraising
  1. The book 'Get Funded!' offers essential tips on how to successfully secure funding for your startup or project. It's a helpful resource for anyone looking to raise money.
  2. Right now, the book is available at a 50% discount, making it a great time to buy if you're interested in learning about fundraising.
  3. Despite being published in 2020, the book has continued to be popular and relevant, showing that good advice lasts over time.

Please Donate to This Fundraiser for a Gaza Refugee

JoeWrote • 35 implied HN points • 06 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Fundraising
  1. A fundraiser is set up to help a Gaza refugee buy food for his family. Any amount you can give will make a difference.
  2. Donations as small as $5 are encouraged, and the person organizing it verifies that the donations will go to a legitimate source.
  3. If you donate and comment on the post, you can receive three free months of premium access as a token of gratitude.

Pitch Me: Real Advice from Climate Founders & Investors

The Green Techpreneur • 8 implied HN points • 25 Jul 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Fundraising
  1. Investors care more about the team and the business plan than just the technology. It's better to show how your product helps customers and to tell a clear story.
  2. Avoid overloading your pitch with too much technical detail. Keep it simple and focus on how you will make money and solve problems for customers.
  3. Raising money for climate startups can be tough and emotional. It's important to build relationships with investors early and to lean on your team for support.

Building Codiga: Fundraising

Tech Ramblings • 19 implied HN points • 24 Aug 23
💼 Business Fundraising
  1. Only raise funds if absolutely necessary. Giving up control to investors can complicate your leadership.
  2. Fundraising requires a lot of effort. Prepare a solid pitch, connect with the right investors, and be persistent in reaching out to many of them.
  3. Choosing the right investors is crucial. Look for those with experience who genuinely care about your success, as they can provide valuable guidance.

Fund Raiser! Please buy a subscription.

C.O.P. Central Organizing Principle. • 18 implied HN points • 05 Feb 25
💼 Business Fundraising
  1. Money is tight, and it's important to be mindful of our spending. Choosing the cheapest options can help during tough financial times.
  2. Supporting creators and writers through subscriptions can ensure they continue providing content. Your support can make a big difference!
  3. Weather can impact activities like busking, so it's okay to take a break when conditions aren't favorable. Staying safe is a priority.

Too much money is a problem

Tech Ramblings • 19 implied HN points • 28 May 23
💼 Business Fundraising
  1. Having too much money can distract startups from their main goals, like building a great product and serving customers. It often leads to unnecessary spending and shortens focus.
  2. Starting with less money can force a company to be more focused and efficient. It encourages smart spending and careful planning.
  3. While raising money can be helpful for growth, it's important to raise just enough to reach goals without losing control or focus. Too much money can lead to problems.

Artist/Administrator Par Excellence in His Head

The False Consensus Effect • 19 implied HN points • 15 Oct 22
🎨 Art & Illustration Fundraising
  1. Artist/Administrator Ron Throop is dedicating a year to volunteer work at the local art association, balancing art and administrative duties to enhance community engagement.
  2. Throop is using an artist/administrator residency to raise funds for gallery upgrades through a solo exhibition of 50 recent paintings.
  3. The artist's paintings during the residency focus on various subjects like eyes, personal encounters, and imaginary creatures, showcasing his creative exploration.

VietBay Sponsors Newsletter 9/13/2021: 3x matching opportunities!

Thái | Hacker | Kỹ sư tin tặc • 19 implied HN points • 13 Sep 21
📰 News Fundraising
  1. VietBay has 3x matching opportunities for donations, where for every $1 contributed, an additional $2 will be donated by Netflix employees and anonymous VietBay members.
  2. Donations are being matched quickly, so acting fast can triple the impact of your contribution.
  3. VietBay has been actively providing food packages, masks, medical equipment, and other essential supplies to those in need, with various fundraising efforts supporting their initiatives.

Sponsors Newsletter 8/29/2021: patient monitors and syringe pumps

Thái | Hacker | Kỹ sư tin tặc • 19 implied HN points • 30 Aug 21
🌍 World Politics Fundraising
  1. In less than two months, VietBay raised over $388,000 and provided essential items like meals, masks, and medical equipment to help those in need during COVID-19.
  2. Their efforts extended beyond the main partner to collaborate with multiple charity groups, reaching a significant number of people in Saigon and Binh Duong.
  3. The community support was heartwarming, with even young kids in California contributing to the cause by setting up a lemonade stand that raised funds for the campaign.

Founder vs. Investor

Tippets by Taps • 6 implied HN points • 12 Sep 23
💼 Business Fundraising
  1. The book presents an honest look at the founder-investor relationship.
  2. The authors collaborated closely to create a conversational and informative format.
  3. It emphasizes the importance of trust between founders and investors.

Your guide to tax-deductible donations to climate-solutions organizations 🌏 ☀️ 💵

Hothouse // Solutions • 1 implied HN point • 27 Dec 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Fundraising
  1. Donating to climate solutions organizations can have a big impact, especially at the end of the year when tax deductions are applicable. Groups like Giving Green help you find effective places to contribute.
  2. The upcoming political landscape may influence donations to climate organizations. People may feel motivated to support causes they care about even amid challenges.
  3. There are many organizations worth supporting, each focused on different areas like clean air, heavy industry, or sustainable food systems. You can choose one that aligns with your values.

Step 6: Fundraising and Legal

Crypto Good • 3 implied HN points • 15 May 23
🔮 Crypto Fundraising
  1. Step 6 involves fundraising through tools like crypto wallets and multi-sig wallets in web3.
  2. Web3 fundraising options include platforms like Gitcoin and Giveth, DAO proposals, and support from foundations like Near and Celo.
  3. Innovative fundraising avenues in web3 include retroactive funding, impact certificates, and decentralized fundraising concepts.

Support a Nepal village through this difficult time

Thái | Hacker | Kỹ sư tin tặc • 19 implied HN points • 01 May 15
🌐 International Fundraising
  1. Consider donating directly to local NGOs when supporting a community in need, as they may have better insight and be more involved in the relief efforts.
  2. Supporting resilient and hardworking local communities in times of crisis helps ensure resources reach those who need them most efficiently.
  3. Spreading the word among your network can amplify the impact of your donation and support for a cause.

Getting Off the VC Train

Venture Reflections • 1 HN point • 15 Dec 23
💼 Business Fundraising
  1. For many founders, 'getting off the train' means no longer relying on future venture capital rounds for success.
  2. Due to recent volatility in fundraising markets, founders are hesitant about staying in the VC ecosystem.
  3. Founders wanting to get off the VC train often do so due to mismatched business models, fear of uncertain funding future, or a desire to control their company's destiny.

Seed Investing: The State of the Union

Digital Native • 0 implied HN points • 15 Nov 23
💼 Business Fundraising
  1. Seed investing is experiencing a rough period due to market downturn, impacting both pre-seed and seed stages.
  2. Despite the challenges, early-stage investing remains compelling, attracting multi-stage investors looking for opportunities in Seed.
  3. Seed valuations are relatively high, but a focus on reasonably-priced rounds at the earliest stages can lead to significant returns for investors.