LIVE EVENT
GCN Investor Conference in Newport Beach, CA
MARCH 25 · NEWPORT BEACH, CA
LIVE EVENT
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Raising capital is one of the most important things a founder does, and one of the easiest to get wrong. It is not a single event but a process: deciding whether to raise at all, getting the company ready, choosing the right instrument, building materials, finding the right investors, pitching, negotiating terms and then managing the relationship after the money arrives. This guide walks through each stage in order and links to our detailed articles on every step.
Use it as a map. If you are just starting, read it top to bottom. If you are mid-raise, jump to the stage you are in.
Outside capital is a tool, not a milestone. Every dollar of equity you sell has a cost in ownership, control and time, so the first question is whether raising is the right move for your company right now. Many strong businesses grow on revenue for years before taking investment, and some never need it.
If you do raise, work out how much you need to reach the next meaningful milestone, plus a buffer. Raising too little forces you back into fundraising before you have progress to show; raising too much at the wrong price can make the next round harder.
Depending on your business, other forms of capital may fit better than selling shares. Revenue-based financing suits companies with predictable revenue. Venture debt can extend runway alongside an equity round. Grants can fund research-heavy companies without dilution, and crowdfunding lets you raise from customers and fans.
Investors back companies that look ready to use capital well. Before you contact anyone, make sure the basics are in order: a clear problem and customer, evidence of traction appropriate to your stage, a team that can execute, and clean company records. Small gaps that seem minor to a founder can stall a deal once an investor starts asking questions.
Pay particular attention to your cap table. Investors want to see exactly who owns what, how much has been set aside for employees, and what convertible instruments are outstanding. Messy ownership records are one of the most common reasons deals slow down.
Early rounds are commonly raised on SAFEs or convertible notes, which defer the valuation question to a later priced round. Later rounds are usually priced equity, where you and your investors agree a valuation up front. Each structure affects how much of the company you give up and when, so understand the mechanics before you sign anything.
Valuation is where many founders lose ground without realising it. The difference between pre-money and post-money valuation, how caps and discounts work, and how an option pool is counted can change your real dilution significantly even when the headline number looks good.
Your pitch deck is usually the first thing an investor sees, and it often has to work without you in the room. It should explain the problem, your solution, the market, your traction, your business model, the team and what you are raising, clearly and in that order. Most founders benefit from two versions: a short send-ahead deck and a presentation deck for live meetings.
Prepare a data room before you start outreach. When an interested investor asks for your financial model, cap table, key contracts and company documents, being able to share them the same day keeps momentum on your side.
Not every investor is the right investor. Angels, angel groups, venture capital firms, family offices and corporate investors each invest at different stages, in different cheque sizes and with different expectations. Targeting investors who actually back companies like yours at your stage saves months of wasted meetings.
The strongest raises usually start long before the formal process. Build a list of target investors, get introduced, share short updates on your progress and let relationships develop. When you are ready to raise, you are talking to people who already know your story.
For a structured overview of the investor landscape, see our guide to investor types and the GCN investor network.
A good pitch is a clear story told with evidence. Investors want to understand quickly what you do, why it matters, why now and why your team will win. Rehearse until you can deliver it in five minutes, and prepare for the questions you would least like to be asked.
Where you pitch matters too. One-to-one meetings, demo days, pitch competitions and investor conferences each reach different investors with different intent. Events that put you in front of many active investors in a single day can compress weeks of outreach into one room.
GCN hosts investor conferences where founders pitch live to a room of investors. The next one is on March 25, 2027 in Newport Beach; see all GCN investor events or apply to pitch.
Once an investor is interested, expect detailed questions about your financials, customers, contracts, intellectual property and team. Preparation is everything: founders who have organised their documents and anticipated questions move through diligence faster and with fewer surprises.
When a term sheet arrives, read beyond the valuation. Liquidation preferences, board composition, protective provisions and option pool requirements can matter as much as the price. If you have more than one interested investor, a well-run process lets you compare offers on the terms that actually affect you.
Closing the round is the start of a long relationship, not the end of the work. Keep investors informed with regular, honest updates, including when things are not going to plan. Investors who feel informed are far more likely to help with introductions, advice and follow-on capital.
Put sensible controls around the cash you have raised, and plan your next milestone and next round from day one.
This guide is general information, not legal, tax or investment advice. Speak to qualified advisors before making decisions about your company's financing.
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