Funded - How They Raised Millions

In this episode of The Backchannel, we talk about handling the pressure of investor pitches. 

Many founders feel anxious about facing tough questions from investors, but it’s important to understand that these questions often come from genuine interest, not an attempt to catch you off guard. 

We explore why investors ask challenging questions and how to reframe them as opportunities. 

We also touch on how your existing knowledge and experience can help you confidently navigate these conversations, even when you don’t have every answer. 

The key takeaway: it’s a conversation, not an interrogation.

--

If you're looking for more fundraising content, grab our weekly newsletter packed full of strategies and insights around how to raise money: fundedpod.com/newsletter

If you're looking to learn how Adamant is helping founders prepare for their fundraise, head here: admnt.com

After bootstrapping her company for months, Teasha Cable, founder and CEO of CModel decided it was time to raise. But early on, the rejections came in hard. Instead of giving up or getting offended, she learned from each rejection, tweaked her approach, and started executing on what investors wanted to see. 

After a lot of trial and error, she locked down a lead investor in the Alabama Futures Fund that ended up leading her to close a $1M seed round in a not-so-easy market.But even then, it took six more months of grinding to fully close the round. That persistence, though, wasn’t something new for her. In this episode you'll hear the story behind how she  became the entpreneur we see today, and how she closed her $1M seed round for CModel.

--

If you're looking for more fundraising content, grab our weekly newsletter packed full of strategies and insights around how to raise money: fundedpod.com/newsletter

If you're looking to learn how Adamant is helping founders prepare for their fundraise, head here: admnt.com

In this episode of The Backchannel, we explore the different types of angel investors you’re likely to encounter early on in your startup journey. 

We dive into the factors that define these investors—ranging from their wealth to their level of sophistication—and how their motivations shape their involvement. 

Whether you’re seeking strategic support or just looking to raise capital, understanding these dynamics can help you navigate which angels to bring on board and which ones to avoid. 

Listen in to learn how to approach angel investors and align with their expectations.

--

If you're looking for more fundraising content, grab our weekly newsletter packed full of strategies and insights around how to raise money: fundedpod.com/newsletter

If you're looking to learn how Adamant is helping founders prepare for their fundraise, head here: admnt.com

In this episode of The Backchannel, we explore the ins and outs of valuation caps and uncapped SAFEs. 

Many founders toss around terms like valuation caps without fully understanding their impact, and we’re here to break it down.

We’ll dive into why some investors and founders are drawn to uncapped SAFEs, the potential risks involved, and when this type of funding structure might actually make sense. 

Tune in to learn why this approach can be tricky for both sides and how to navigate these waters with more confidence.

--

If you're looking for more fundraising content, grab our weekly newsletter packed full of strategies and insights around how to raise money: fundedpod.com/newsletter

If you're looking to learn how Adamant is helping founders prepare for their fundraise, head here: admnt.com

In this episode of The Back Channel, Jason tackles the often misunderstood concept of valuation caps in fundraising. 

He walks through what a valuation cap is, how it works, and its role in SAFE agreements and convertible notes. 

Jason explains how these caps affect the conversion of investments into equity during future funding rounds, and covers the difference between pre-money and post-money valuation caps. 

The goal is to help founders better grasp the math behind the numbers, so they can navigate their fundraising with more clarity and confidence.

--

If you're looking for more fundraising content, grab our weekly newsletter packed full of strategies and insights around how to raise money: fundedpod.com/newsletter

If you're looking to learn how Adamant is helping founders prepare for their fundraise, head here: admnt.com

Entrepreneurship is unpredictable—just when you think you’ve got it all mapped out, you're hit with a tough choice between two very different paths.

One feels safe and familiar, while the other is full of potential, uncertainty, and risk. Every founder faces that pivotal moment: Do you play it safe, or take the leap?

Today’s guest, Michael Diesu, co-founder and CEO of Revenue Roll, knows this dilemma all too well. From diving headfirst into the startup world against conventional advice to navigating a cooling fundraising market, he's made those tough calls more than once.

RevenueRoll recently raised a $2.5M seed round led by Innovating Capital in late 2023—an impressive feat in one of the toughest fundraising climates in years.

In this episode, we dive into Michael's journey, unpack his big wins, hard-learned lessons, and get an inside look at how he closed that seed round. 

But first, we rewind to the early days—because those initial decisions? They set the stage for everything that follows.

--

If you're looking for more fundraising content, grab our weekly newsletter packed full of strategies and insights around how to raise money: fundedpod.com/newsletter

If you're looking to learn how Adamant is helping founders prepare for their fundraise, head here: admnt.com

In this episode of The Backchannel, we revisit a fundamental topic that every founder should understand: post-money cap SAFEs and their implications. 

Starting with a refresher on the basics of post-money versus pre-money valuations, the discussion then moves into how these financial instruments impact founder ownership and why they can be tricky. 

Listeners will gain insights into the dynamics of post-money caps, particularly the hidden complexities that can affect a company’s valuation during fundraising. 

Whether you’re a new founder or just need a refresher, this episode sheds light on the often misunderstood aspects of post-money caps and offers practical advice for navigating them. 

Listen in to better understand how to protect your stake in your company.

--

If you're looking for more fundraising content, grab our weekly newsletter packed full of strategies and insights around how to raise money: fundedpod.com/newsletter

If you're looking to learn how Adamant is helping founders prepare for their fundraise, head here: admnt.com

In this episode of The Backchannel, Jason dives into one of the most overlooked yet essential tasks in fundraising: building your target investor list. 

He breaks down why so many founders avoid this work—it’s time-consuming, tedious, and can be confusing. But also emphasizes its importance and offers a step-by-step guide on how to tackle it effectively. 

From researching top-down and bottoms-up investor lists to mapping out connections and crafting the right emails, Jason covers it all. He also shares tips on how to stay organized and maintain momentum throughout the process. 

Whether you’re overwhelmed by the idea of reaching out to investors or just need a solid strategy, this episode has the actionable advice you need to get started.

--

If you're looking for more fundraising content, grab our weekly newsletter packed full of strategies and insights around how to raise money: fundedpod.com/newsletter

If you're looking to learn how Adamant is helping founders prepare for their fundraise, head here: admnt.com

Fundraising can be both the most aggravating and comforting part of a founder’s journey. It only takes one “yes” to change everything, but getting there often means facing a mountain of “no’s.” Not every founder has the resilience to push through the rejection, but those who do often find success right when they’re ready to give up.

In today’s episode, I chat with Christal Wang, co-founder and CEO of Shimmer, the top ADHD coaching platform for adults. Christal shares her journey from YC to closing a successful pre-seed round, and how she navigated the challenges of raising a $2.2M seed round after a major pivot. We dive into the emotional toll of fundraising, the importance of perseverance, and how a single “yes” can make every rejection worthwhile. 

Plus, we discovered we had quite similar childhoods along the way.

--

If you're looking for more fundraising content, grab our weekly newsletter packed full of strategies and insights around how to raise money: fundedpod.com/newsletter

If you're looking to learn how Adamant is helping founders prepare for their fundraise, head here: admnt.com

In this episode of The Backchannel, we dive into a topic that’s been on a lot of founders’ minds: the difference between pre-seed and seed rounds in today’s shifting market. 

We explain how the definitions and expectations for these funding stages have evolved, especially after the wild fluctuations caused by events like ZIRP and the SVB collapse.

We break down what VCs are now looking for in pre-seed deals and seed deals in the current market.

We also address common questions, like whether you can use the same pitch deck for both rounds and the role of institutional investors in pre-seed funding.

Listen to the full episode to hear more!

--

If you're looking for more fundraising content, grab our weekly newsletter packed full of strategies and insights around how to raise money: fundedpod.com/newsletter

If you're looking to learn how Adamant is helping founders prepare for their fundraise, head here: admnt.com