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Fundraising
The founder and CEO of one of Silicon Valley’s most successful companies pulls back the curtain on the startup fundraising process in this essential playbook.Mastering the art of fundraising is key to every new company’s success. But the process itself is too often shrouded in mystery. From networking and building supportive relationships to crafting the perfect pitch and knowing when to finalize a deal—it can be a confusing and complex web. Opening a fundraising round is one of the most daunting moments in the lifecycle of a young startup. But even as tech insiders trade tips, too many first-time founders are left in the dark or sorting through conflicting advice.Ryan Breslow’s definitive guide to startup fundraising provides overdue, much needed clarity. Drawing on years of experience at the industry’s highest levels, he dispels common misconceptions and distills essential wisdom on every facet of the process. This compelling, accessible, and candid primer is a must-read for first-time founders and startup veterans alike. They will find much to learn from Breslow’s indispensable guide to the nuts and bolts of successful fundraising."Ryan is the single best fundraiser I know. Now he's documenting his process in a book for all of us to read? Get me that book!"-Matthew Mochary, author, The Great CEO Within"Fundraising is a critical skill for a successful founder, but most good fundraisers are they can never explain their process. Ryan is a He can explain every step and has A/B tested each one. He knows which investors add the most value, how to explain the narrative of his mission and how to get the best terms for his company. Ryan has turned what is for most founders a survival skill into an offensive weapon." -Laurence Tosi, Managing Partner of WestCap and former CFO, Airbnb
60 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 15, 2021
158 people are currently reading
704 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
April 22, 2022
I aspire to one day reach Ryan Breslow-levels of coolness.
March 30, 2022
Very nice, short book about the art of startup fundraising. Key points: Fundraising should be regarded as two-way sell, i.e. you are also interviewing the investor; you don't want to seem too eager; get contacts to introduce you, cold-emailing nearly never works; ensure best investing contract conditions for the founder; give a lot of equity to initial C-suite as a solo founder; build relationships with investors; play hard-to-get; and the investing is never done before the money is in the company.
September 6, 2024
Be authentic. Be prepared/knowledgable in your endeavor. Work with investors who you have formed genuine connections with and who respect you.
December 28, 2022
After pitching at least 400 VCs and not raising any money, I came across Fundraising. It is has been a game changer for me and my company. Thanks to this book I learnt how to develop relationships with senior partners at top VCs + understand what information is valuable to them. This book is the equivalent of knowing what questions will be on the exam before you even need to study. Thanks to the lessons taught by Ryan Breslow, I now have relationships with senior partners at A16Z, DWS, Madrona, Accel and probably at least 30 other serious venture capital and private equity firms.
Due to my background in the ML, fintech and blockchain space, I have been asked to speak at the most established and respected universities in the United Kingdom. I am regularly asked about 'how and when to raise capital?' This has evolved to a point where I hold lectures on this topic alone. I'm not sure Ryan Breslow will be happy to hear this, but I simply teach 'all' of Fundraising and I encourage every student, professor, founder, experienced or otherwise to invest time in reading this step-by-step guide and take onboard the practical advise it offers.....I do make sure the students know that it is his book that I am teaching! It really is brilliant.
This book is a must for early stage founders, however, the irony for me, was that Fundraising offered such, clear, concise and practical advice that I didn't need to raise money after taking the time to apply its lessons. Instead, I re-wrote his pitch, recorded it, practiced it to the point that I had internalised it and used it to communicate what we were doing differently to prospective clients and I ended up just using his pitch which generated enough sales to not need to raise money 🚀🚀
As I tell every founder, if you haven't got the time to read this book, you probably shouldn't be building a company. The most important book I have read in 2022.
Due to my background in the ML, fintech and blockchain space, I have been asked to speak at the most established and respected universities in the United Kingdom. I am regularly asked about 'how and when to raise capital?' This has evolved to a point where I hold lectures on this topic alone. I'm not sure Ryan Breslow will be happy to hear this, but I simply teach 'all' of Fundraising and I encourage every student, professor, founder, experienced or otherwise to invest time in reading this step-by-step guide and take onboard the practical advise it offers.....I do make sure the students know that it is his book that I am teaching! It really is brilliant.
This book is a must for early stage founders, however, the irony for me, was that Fundraising offered such, clear, concise and practical advice that I didn't need to raise money after taking the time to apply its lessons. Instead, I re-wrote his pitch, recorded it, practiced it to the point that I had internalised it and used it to communicate what we were doing differently to prospective clients and I ended up just using his pitch which generated enough sales to not need to raise money 🚀🚀
As I tell every founder, if you haven't got the time to read this book, you probably shouldn't be building a company. The most important book I have read in 2022.
September 15, 2021
Strategic and tactical advice
Fundraising is super complicated and a relatively low frequency activity that even the best founders are at a disadvantage. There’s a ton of info out there, but no real “playbook”. Ryan has synthesized best practices in this book. I’m recommending this to all tech founders.
Fundraising is super complicated and a relatively low frequency activity that even the best founders are at a disadvantage. There’s a ton of info out there, but no real “playbook”. Ryan has synthesized best practices in this book. I’m recommending this to all tech founders.
April 2, 2023
Does a good job contextualizing the ecosystem of fundraising as a founder.
Really adamant that it’s a process with steps. Don’t get too into any one part at first. Set second meetings and follow up’s to hash out major points.
Move fast and put a lot of options into the pipeline.
Really adamant that it’s a process with steps. Don’t get too into any one part at first. Set second meetings and follow up’s to hash out major points.
Move fast and put a lot of options into the pipeline.
August 18, 2021
The new standard
This book it fantastic and cuts to the core of the fundraising experience. Expect to read it many times and to take away different things with each read.
This book it fantastic and cuts to the core of the fundraising experience. Expect to read it many times and to take away different things with each read.
May 1, 2022
Easy audio boon listening, 1hr. Good tips for seed stage founders, great for newbies in the game & concrete tips. If you’re more familiar with the fundraising/tech/startup ecosystem then you’d know most of this.
July 13, 2023
A very simple and clear explanation of the fundraising process
1. From an experienced entrepreneur
2. Mentally, knowing that I will get a lot of Nos, will help prepare me for the process
1. From an experienced entrepreneur
2. Mentally, knowing that I will get a lot of Nos, will help prepare me for the process
January 16, 2022
A concise book that focuses on the essentials when fundraising!
February 12, 2022
A great playbook about pre-seed/seed rounds fundraising. Some practical advice, suggestions on what common pitfalls should be avoided, conversation/mail templates to follow.
February 27, 2022
Worth it!
Totally VMF. This is very solid advice and learned things I didn't read anywhere else. It's very tactical in most chapters which I really liked.
Totally VMF. This is very solid advice and learned things I didn't read anywhere else. It's very tactical in most chapters which I really liked.
March 2, 2022
Could be an essay. One of the worst books I've read on the subject.
June 12, 2022
Great, short, concise, no bullshit, minimal ego and totally sweat book!
I would not mind listening to a more detailed 20h (20x longer) version of this.
I would not mind listening to a more detailed 20h (20x longer) version of this.
July 1, 2022
Good book for the overview. Doesn’t go into much detail (hence the few pages).
Fine framework and outline. More detail would have been great.
Fine framework and outline. More detail would have been great.
September 16, 2022
Great book. Three stages of fundraising.
November 7, 2022
Wish I had access to this knowledge 1 year ago.
Substance is generally good, form not quite so.
90% in agreement with with Ryan
Terrible audio book
Substance is generally good, form not quite so.
90% in agreement with with Ryan
Terrible audio book
November 30, 2022
Another Ryan Breslow classic. Succinct, direct, actionable.
Read
December 5, 2022ok
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 16, 2023
Compact and actionable.
June 29, 2023
Really helpful book dealing with fundraising a startup. Great insights.
December 23, 2023
A crucial how-to guide to funding for founders. It’s a short hundred page read full of samples and templates.
May 2, 2024
Loved! Super helpful advice for navigating a fundraising round for your business.
August 13, 2024
This could’ve been a YouTube video instead.
November 15, 2024
Quick, no frills, and authentic take on fundraising through the eyes of someone who’s been there before. Useful nuggets and insights throughout. Worth the read.
December 3, 2024
Great playbook. There’s space for more but it equips you with just enough to go out and experience raising for yourself.
November 21, 2022
Very practical guide to wooing vc’s to tech startups in Silicon Valley. If that’s your thing.
May 13, 2022
Great general introduction to fundraising process
December 28, 2022
Ryan Breslow's book on fundraising helped me with much-needed clarity and it dispels common misconceptions, offering essential wisdom on every aspect of the process. It is a must-read for both first-time founders and experienced professionals in the startup industry. The templates are an indispensable resource and they allowed me to take action leading to successful raises in short period of time!
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews