Question 1

What is *Raising a Seed Round 101* by Lenny Rachitsky and Terrence Rohan about?

Accepted Answer

*Raising a Seed Round 101* is a practical guide for startups navigating seed funding, covering strategies for investor outreach, term sheet negotiations, and avoiding common pitfalls. It combines frameworks from founders of Notion, Figma, and Ramp with insights on evaluating market potential, building pitch decks, and balancing dilution. The book emphasizes tactical preparation, including timelines, investor targeting, and post-funding milestones.

Question 2

Who should read *Raising a Seed Round 101*?

Accepted Answer

First-time founders, startup CEOs, and early-stage teams preparing to raise $1M–$4M will benefit most. The book is tailored for entrepreneurs seeking venture capital, offering actionable advice on investor relations, equity management, and validating product-market fit. It’s also valuable for advisors or angel investors understanding modern seed-round dynamics.

Question 3

Is *Raising a Seed Round 101* worth reading for startup founders?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The book provides tactical playbooks for structuring rounds, negotiating terms, and avoiding dilution missteps. With real-world examples from companies like Linear and Instacart, it clarifies complex concepts like lead investor dynamics, valuation benchmarks, and due diligence. Founders gain strategies to shorten fundraising cycles and align with high-signal investors.

Question 4

What are the key steps to prepare for a seed round outlined in the book?

Accepted Answer

The book highlights four steps:
- validate product-market fit with an MVP
- build financial models projecting 12–24 month milestones
- research investors’ sector expertise and past deals
- craft a narrative blending vision, traction, and team credibility

Emphasizes pre-emptive due diligence to streamline negotiations.

Question 5

How do you choose the right seed investors according to *Raising a Seed Round 101*?

Accepted Answer

Prioritize investors offering strategic value beyond capital, such as sector-specific networks or operational expertise. The authors advise evaluating track records in similar startups, reference-checking with founders, and avoiding misaligned terms (e.g., excessive board control). Stress-tests investor commitment through pre-pitch relationship-building.

Question 6

What metrics do investors evaluate in seed-stage startups, per the book?

Accepted Answer

Top metrics include **team caliber** (founder experience, technical depth), **market size** (TAM exceeding $1B), and **early traction** (user growth, MVP validation). Investors also assess scalability, competitive moats, and capital efficiency. Linear’s seed round case study illustrates how clean execution timelines boost credibility.

Question 7

What common mistakes do founders make during seed funding, as critiqued in the book?

Accepted Answer

The authors highlight three errors:
- underestimating fundraising timelines (6+ months is common)
- accepting unfavorable liquidation preferences
- neglecting pre-emptive investor updates

Case studies show how premature scaling or weak cap table hygiene derail later rounds.

Question 8

How does *Raising a Seed Round 101* approach founder dilution?

Accepted Answer

Recommends limiting dilution to 10–20% per seed round, with stricter caps if raising from multiple angels. Advises reserving equity for future hires and incentivizing lead investors with pro-rata rights. Uses Ramp’s seed round to illustrate balancing control and growth capital.

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Key takeaways

Build a Strong Founding Team

Develop a Clear Value Proposition

Create a Robust Business Plan

Build a Prototype or Minimum Viable Product (MVP)

Venture Capitalists

Angel Investors

Incubators and Accelerators

Keep it Simple and Clear

Highlight Your Unique Selling Proposition (USP)

Show Traction and Milestones

Be Prepared to Answer Questions

Understanding Valuation

Equity and Ownership

Other Terms and Conditions

Use Funds Wisely

Maintain Investor Relations

Continue to Build and Iterate

Raising a seed round 101 by Lenny Rachitsky, Terrence Rohan and Jack Altman Summary

Overview of Raising a seed round 101

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