Fundraising 101
How much should you raise at pre-seed in 2026? A founder’s framework
How much should you raise? The founder’s framework for sizing your round in 2026 Most founders pick their raise amount the way they pick a...
Posts by Valentina Espina
Fundraising 101 for essential guides and insights on capital raising, venture capital, equity investment, seed rounds, and securing financing from VC firms and equity investors.
Fundraising 101
How long does fundraising take? A realistic timeline for pre-seed and seed in 2026
How long does fundraising take? A realistic timeline for pre-seed and seed in 2026 Most first-time founders set off to “raise a round” with no...
Fundraising 101
Milestone-based fundraising in 2026: how tranched SAFEs are replacing the single pre-seed check
Milestone-based fundraising in 2026: how tranched SAFEs are replacing the single pre-seed check Three years ago, a pre-seed round looked like a single check. A...
Fundraising 101
How to Build a Fundraising Pipeline (the System That Replaces Spray-and-Pray Outreach)
How to Build a Fundraising Pipeline: the System That Replaces Spray-and-Pray Outreach Most founders treat fundraising like a lottery. They build a giant list of...
Fundraising 101
How to choose the right startup accelerator in 2026 (a founder’s decision framework)
How to choose the right startup accelerator in 2026 (a founder’s decision framework) Five major accelerator deadlines are landing in the next three weeks. Y...
Fundraising 101
Best Startup Events and Pitch Competitions for Founders in Spring 2026
Best Startup Events and Pitch Competitions for Founders in Spring 2026 If you are raising a round right now, the next 60 days are packed...
Fundraising 101
How to Apply to Y Combinator in 2026 (The Complete Guide)
How to Apply to Y Combinator in 2026 (The Complete Guide) Y Combinator receives over 30,000 applications per batch and accepts roughly 1.5% to 2%...
Fundraising 101
Pre-Seed vs Seed Funding: What’s actually different in 2026
If you’re a first-time founder figuring out fundraising, the line between pre-seed and seed can feel blurry. Both stages involve raising money early. Both involve...
Fundraising 101
How to cold email investors in 2026 (with templates that get replies)
Most founders hate when they have to cold email investors. And honestly, most cold emails to investors deserve to be ignored. They’re too long, too...