Stories abound about plucky entrepreneurs financing their startups, but it’s unusual to get trench-view insights from founders who have slogged their way through endless pitches along Sand Hill Road. Ethan Perlstein, founder and CEO of the rare disease drug discovery company Perlara, shared what he gleaned from his recent $7.4 million equity round for his company in a piece on the CNBC website. We spoke to Perlstein about his experience, what he learned in the process, and his practical advice for entrepreneurs seeking funding.