Episode 8: What It Takes To Raise Capital For Your Startup

You’ve probably noticed the ongoing debate about whether or not we’re in a tech bubble. Headlines are always gushing about the latest companies with billion dollar valuations. There’s a lot of investment capital out there right now, and if you’re a startup founder who hopes to raise money, you might be wondering what it takes to attract some of that capital to you . You have to figure out what to say to attract investors, but here’s the thing: depending on whether it’s your first fundraise or a follow-on round, you have to take a different approach. So, what do investors look for in a startup ripe for Series A versus Series B? When should you stop bootstrapping and search for seed funding? To help us out with these questions, I’ve invited Melody McCloskey, the CEO & Co-Founder of StyleSeat, who has successfully raised $39.9M for her company through 4 separate fundraising rounds, ranging from seed to Series B. Each round was different, and it wasn’t all smooth sailing for Melody. Hear how she succeeded in her 4 rounds and learn: Why it’s important to start bootstrapping before you consider taking capital; What investors are looking for at different stages, like seed, Series A, and Series B; and How to pitch investors who know very little about your industry.