In fundraising, the startup founder should underpromise and overdeliver to the investor.

Here are some key areas to apply this:

Forecasting.  

Most founders overpromise and underdeliver on their sales forecast.

Instead of over-promising on the revenue results, forecast a lower number and then show how you exceeded the forecast.

Planning.

Most founders overpromise on their progress in building products.

Instead of overpromising, set a less aggressive goal and show the investor how you are ahead of plan.

Hiring.

Most founders set an aggressive goal for how many team members they need.

Instead of hiring the full headcount, show how you accomplished the goals with a smaller headcount.

Fundraise.

Most founders set ambitious goals for their fundraisers.

Instead of proposing the ideal fundraising timeline, set a lower goal.

In the updates to the investor, show how you are ahead of schedule on the raise.

Apply these steps to under-promise and over-deliver to the investor. 

 

Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding.

Let’s go startup something today.
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Thank you for joining your host Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso — your daily shot of startup funding and investing.
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Hall T Martin is the director of Investor Connect, which is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to the education of investors for early-stage funding. All opinions expressed by Hall and podcast guests are solely their own opinions and do not reflect the opinion of Investor Connect. This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon for the basis of investment decisions.