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When raising early-stage capital, founders often choose between SAFE (Simple Agreement for Future Equity) notes and convertible notes. Both options allow startups to raise funds without setting an immediate valuation, but they have key differences. Understanding these differences can help you make an informed decision.

What is a SAFE?

A SAFE is an agreement where an investor provides capital today in exchange for the right to receive equity in the future, typically at the next priced funding round. Created by Y Combinator, SAFEs are designed to be founder-friendly and simplify early-stage fundraising.

Key features of SAFEs:

• No interest or maturity date.
• Converts into equity when a future funding round occurs.
• May include a valuation cap or discount rate (or both) to reward early investors.
• No debt obligations, making it a simpler instrument.

📌 Further Reading: Y Combinator’s SAFE Primer

What is a Convertible Note?

A convertible note is a debt instrument that converts into equity at a future financing round. Unlike SAFEs, convertible notes accrue interest and have a maturity date, making them a hybrid between debt and equity.

Key features of Convertible Notes:

• Includes an interest rate (typically 4-8%).
• Has a maturity date, at which point it may need to be repaid or converted.
• Usually contains a valuation cap or discount to incentivize early investors.
• Can give investors more leverage in negotiations due to repayment terms.

📌 Further Reading: VC Stack’s Deep Dive: Convertible Notes

Key differences between SAFEs and Convertible Notes

Which one should you choose?

• Choose a SAFE if: You want a simpler agreement with no debt risk and no pressure from maturity deadlines.
• Choose a Convertible Note if: Your investors prefer debt-based instruments or want additional security with interest and a repayment option.

📌 Further Reading: Carta’s Guide to SAFEs vs. Convertible Notes and Priced vs. Unpriced Rounds

Additional Considerations for Founders

Negotiation strategies

Regardless of whether you choose a SAFE or a convertible note, it’s crucial to negotiate favorable terms. Consider:

• Valuation Cap: A lower cap benefits investors, while a higher cap gives founders more equity retention.
• Discount Rate: Investors typically receive a 10-20% discount on the next funding round’s valuation.
• Pro-Rata Rights: Some agreements allow early investors to invest more in future rounds to maintain their ownership percentage.

Impact on future fundraising

• SAFEs and convertible notes defer valuation discussions, but that means your priced round investors will consider prior agreements when setting the valuation.
• Accrued interest on convertible notes can increase dilution for founders at the time of conversion.
• Having too many SAFEs or notes outstanding can create a complex cap table, making future fundraising more challenging.

Investor Preferences

The vast majority of early-stage rounds now use SAFEs, as they offer simplicity and speed. However, some investors, particularly those outside major capital hubs, may prefer convertible notes due to their structure and risk mitigation features.

Institutional investors and VCs typically transition to priced rounds from larger seed rounds onward, moving away from these early-stage instruments. For more on the rise of SAFEs, check out Carta’s insights.‍‍

Final Thoughts

SAFEs and convertible notes both help startups secure early funding without setting an immediate valuation. The right choice depends on your investors’ preferences and how much flexibility you need as a founder.

Need help raising your next fundraising round? Capwave AI provides expert tools and insights to navigate early-stage funding with confidence.

Every great startup starts with a huge, unsolved problem.

Too many founders build solutions searching for a problem rather than tackling issues that already exist. Investors, especially at early stages, aren’t just looking for traction. They want big ideas with world-changing potential.

Y Combinator recently published its latest Requests for Startups (RFS), a list of startup ideas and problem spaces that are now ripe for innovation. If you’re looking for what to build next, here are some of the biggest opportunities waiting for founders to take action.

1. AI that’s more private & useful

AI applications are advancing rapidly, but users need better privacy controls, smarter integrations, and AI tools that work seamlessly in daily life.

💡 Startup ideas:

• A secure AI app store: a privacy-first app marketplace where users control what data AI can access.
• AI personal staff: AI-powered services that replace expensive human experts (tax accountants, personal trainers, legal advisors).
• Vertical AI agents: AI assistants tailored to specific industries (tax, legal, healthcare, customer support).

📈Investors are backing AI-first startups, but differentiation is key. Founders who build AI products that are more private, reliable, and deeply integrated into workflows will stand out.

2. AI-powered infrastructure & automation

The rapid expansion of AI requires faster, cheaper data centers, optimized computing infrastructure, and better automation.

💡 Startup ideas:

• Datacenters 2.0: faster, cheaper, and more efficient AI data centers using new cooling, energy, and automation techniques.
• Inference AI infrastructure: new ways to reduce the massive compute costs of running AI models at scale.
• AI coding agents for hardware: AI-generated low-level code optimized for custom silicon and alternative hardware.

📈 AI infrastructure startups are in high demand. Investors are actively funding companies that reduce costs and inefficiencies in compute, storage, and optimization.

3. The future of software development

AI is reshaping how software is built, tested, and deployed, making it possible for small teams to produce enterprise-level applications.

💡 Startup ideas:

• AI developer tools: platforms that allow engineers to manage AI agents writing and deploying code.
• Automated compliance & audit tools: AI-driven platforms that continuously review security, legal, and regulatory compliance for companies.
• AI for business process automation: AI-powered tools that replace manual office workflows and legacy business processes.

📈 Investors are looking for founders building AI-native dev tools and business automation platforms that make engineering and compliance significantly faster and cheaper.

4. Fixing broken systems (finance, compliance, and more)

The finance, legal, and compliance industries are stuck in outdated workflows, creating huge inefficiencies and rising costs.

💡 Startup ideas:

• Docusign 2.0: AI-powered document signing and automation tools that eliminate manual paperwork.
• AI-driven compliance & audit: LLM-powered systems that automate financial, legal, and regulatory reviews.
• B2A (business-to-agent) software: services built specifically for AI agents to interact with businesses (e.g., payments, contracts, transactions).

📈Regulatory tech and fintech continue to attract funding. Founders who can reduce compliance burdens or automate financial operations will have strong investor interest.

5. The next wave of open source AI

The AI ecosystem is dominated by a few large players, but there’s massive opportunity for commercial open-source AI companies.

💡 Startup ideas:

• AI commercial open source software (AICOSS): open-source AI models supported by commercial tools, hosting, and services.
• DevTools for AI agents: APIs, frameworks, and platforms to build and deploy AI-powered workflows more easily.
• Secure & private AI models: open-source alternatives to proprietary AI models, optimized for security and privacy.

📈 Open-source AI creates huge opportunities, especially for companies that offer enterprise-friendly commercial services on top of open AI models.

Final takeaway: the best startups solve the biggest problems

If you’re starting a company, ask yourself: Is this a must-have solution, or just a nice-to-have product?

The biggest opportunities exist in huge, broken markets where innovation can fundamentally change how things work.

🔎 Ready to find qualified investors who back big ideas? Capwave AI connects founders with investors who specialize in your industry and stage. Sign up today and start building the future.

Why startup events can open doors for founders

Startup events aren’t just another networking opportunity, they’re where connections turn into partnerships, ideas evolve into strategies, and pitches land funding. Whether you’re seeking investors, refining your go-to-market strategy, or building your network, the right event can accelerate your journey. These gatherings bring together founders, industry leaders, and investors, creating a unique space for learning, collaboration, and growth.

Are you looking for opportunities to grow your network, showcase your startup, and learn from industry leaders? 2025 is packed with incredible events for founders, investors, and innovators. While Capwave AI offers a full list of 65+ events, here’s a teaser of our 15 top picks you won’t want to miss.

1. SXSW

A mix of technology, media, and entertainment. Includes networking, workshops, and pitch competitions that attract global attention.

City: Austin, TX
Date: March 7, 2025
Sign-up link: SXSW25

Best for: Startups in all industries

2. Florida Venture Capital Conference

Showcase your startup to a national audience of VCs, angel investors, and private equity firms.

City: Miami, FL
Date: March 3, 2025
Sign-up link: FVCC25

Best for: Startups in any industry

3. Product-Led Summit

Learn actionable strategies for scaling through product-led growth while networking with top product leaders.

City: New York, NY
Date: March 19, 2025
Sign-up link: PLSNYC25

Best for: Startups focused on product-driven growth

4. eMerge Americas

A premier conference connecting the Americas through pitches, workshops, and networking opportunities.

City: Miami, FL
Date: March 27, 2025
Sign-up link: EA25

Best for: Startups in any industry

5. TechCrunch Disrupt

Features the famous Startup Battlefield competition, investor networking, and sessions with top entrepreneurs.

City: San Francisco, CA
Date: October 27, 2025
Sign-up link: TCD25

Best for: Startups in any industry

6. Web Summit Lisbon

The world’s largest tech conference, offering networking, investor access, and a showcase of cutting-edge innovations.

City: Lisbon, Portugal
Date: November 4, 2025
Sign-up link: WSL25 

Best for: Startups in any industry

7. Money20/20 USA

A premier fintech event focused on innovation in payments and banking, offering unmatched networking opportunities.

City: Las Vegas, NV
Date: November 26, 2025
Sign-up link: M20/2025

‍Best for: Fintech startups

8. Startup Grind Global

Gain insights from successful founders and industry leaders, and expand your network through interactive workshops.

City: Silicon Valley, CA
Date: April 29, 2025
Sign-up link: SGG25

Best for: Startups in any industry

9. Venture Atlanta

The largest VC conference in the Southeast, offering pitch opportunities and investor networking.

City: Atlanta, GA
Date: October 15, 2025
Sign-up link: VA25

‍Best for: Startups in any industry

10. Finovate Spring

A fintech-focused event featuring live product demos, panel discussions, and networking opportunities with investors.

City: San Diego, CA
Date: May 7, 2025
Sign-up link: FS25

Best for: Fintech startups

11. Austin Tech Week

A week-long celebration of Austin’s tech ecosystem, featuring dynamic mixers and curated educational tracks.

City: Austin, TX
Date: October 20, 2025
Sign-up link: ATW25

Best for: Startups in any industry

12. TECHSPO Los Angeles

A two-day technology expo showcasing advancements in Internet, AdTech, MarTech, and SaaS technologies.

City: Los Angeles, CA
Date: April 3, 2025
Sign-up link: TSLA25

Best for: Startups in any industry

13. CIX Summit

Canada’s largest startup awards program, connecting tech founders and investors for networking and deal-making.

City: Toronto, Canada
Date: March 26, 2025
Sign-up link: CIX25

Best for: Startups in any industry

14. TECHSPO Orlando

A two-day technology expo showcasing cutting-edge technologies in AdTech, MarTech, and SaaS innovations.

City: Orlando, FL
Date: May 5, 2025
Sign-up link: TSO25

Best for: Startups in any industry

15. ProductCon Online 2025

The world's largest product management conference, featuring insights from top PMs at Google, Facebook, and Amazon.

City: Virtual
Date: August 6, 2025
Sign-up link: PCO25

Best for: Startups focused on product-led growth

🚀Match with your next investor on Capwave AI

These are just a few of the incredible events happening in 2025. From pitch competitions to industry expos, there’s something for every founder. 

Want access to the full list of 65+ events?

Sign up for Capwave today to discover events tailored to your startup’s needs and connect with the right investors to grow your business.

For many non-technical founders, the biggest roadblock to launching a startup isn’t lack of ideas, it’s lack of code. You have the vision, the business model, and maybe even early customer validation, but without a technical cofounder, you’re stuck.

Investors also know this. One of the most common questions they’ll ask is: “Who’s building this?” If you don’t have a strong answer, it can be a red flag.

So, how do you find the right technical cofounder? Someone who can not only build your product, but also commit to scaling a company with you? This guide will walk you through the process, from where to look to how to structure the partnership.

Why do you need a technical cofounder?

Not every startup requires a technical cofounder, but for most tech-driven startups, having one can:

• Validate feasibility: Ensure your idea is technically possible before wasting time and money.
• Speed up development: Build faster without relying on outsourced developers.
• Improve investor appeal: Many investors hesitate to back solo, non-technical founders without an in-house technical leader.
• Lower costs: Hiring a CTO or outsourcing development can be expensive; a cofounder is an equity-based partnership.

💡If your product is software-heavy (SaaS, AI, marketplaces, fintech), a technical cofounder is likely a must.

‍Step 1: Clarify what you're looking for

‍Before searching, define exactly what kind of technical cofounder you need.

• What tech stack do you need? Web app? Mobile? AI?
• What skills are required? Frontend, backend, full-stack, machine learning?
• What stage are you at? Idea stage? MVP? Early traction?
• What level of commitment? Full-time? Part-time until funding?

If you’re unsure, talk to technical advisors or developers to refine what skillset is best for your startup.

‍Step 2: Look in the right places

‍Finding the right technical cofounder isn’t just about networking: it’s about showing up where they are.

‍Online platforms

• CoFoundersLab: A matchmaking site for startup cofounders.
• Indie Hackers: A community of builders, great for networking.
• YC Cofounder Matching: Find a cofounder through Y Combinator’s network.
• YC Startup School: Connect with other founders, some of whom are technical.
• AngelList: Many engineers and startup-minded developers are here.
• LinkedIn & X: Post about your search, share insights, and engage with engineers in your industry.

In-person networking

• Hackathons: Great places to meet developers who love to build fast.
• Meetups & Tech Conferences: Look for events on AI, web development, or specific programming languages.
• Startup accelerators & founder groups: Even if you don’t join an accelerator, their events can be great for networking.

🎯Pro tip: Don’t just say “I need a tech cofounder.” Be specific about what you’re building and why it’s exciting.

‍Step 3: Make yourself a strong business cofounder

‍Developers aren’t just looking for any project. They want to work with someone who can execute and bring value beyond code.

To attract a great cofounder, you need to prove that you bring something substantial to the table:

• Market validation. Show you’ve done customer research, identified demand, or secured early signups.
• Business traction. A pre-sell campaign, email waitlist, or strong industry interest can signal viability.
• Fundraising ability. If you’ve raised or are capable of raising funding, that’s attractive.
• Clear vision & strategy. Engineers want to build something meaningful, not just write code.

The more progress you’ve made on your own, the easier it is to convince a technical cofounder to join.

‍Step 4: Start working together before signing an agreement

‍A common mistake is rushing into a cofounder relationship without testing how well you collaborate. Instead:

• Work on a small project together first: A prototype, feature, or market test.
• Set expectations early: Talk about equity, vision, and long-term commitment.
• Assess compatibility: Do you communicate well? Can you handle disagreements?

Cofounder breakups can be as messy as a divorce. 💔 Take time to ensure it’s a good fit before making it official.

‍Step 5: Structure the partnership (equity & roles)

‍Once you’ve found the right person, define roles and ownership.

‍How much equity should a technical cofounder get?

‍Peter Walker, Carta’s Head of Insights, recently shared typical cofounder equity splits from 2022-2024.

Equity splits depend on the number of cofounders, the level of contribution, and the stage at which they join. Based on the data:

‍For two founders:

• 50/50 split. Around 41% of two-founder teams divide equity equally, especially if both contribute equally to the startup.
• 60/40 or 55/45 split. Common when one founder has made more progress or brought in significant resources before the other joined.
• 70/30 or higher imbalance. Less common, but seen when one founder provides most of the capital or work.

For three founders:

• 33/33/33 split. About 21% of three-founder teams divide equity equally.
• 40/30/30 split or similar. Happens when one founder contributes more heavily in terms of capital, traction, or technical expertise.
• Lower ownership for late joiners. If a third cofounder joins significantly later, their share may be smaller, such as 10-15%.

Use vesting to protect the team

‍No matter the equity split, all cofounders should agree to a 4-year vesting schedule with a 1-year cliff. This ensures that equity is earned over time and protects the team in case someone leaves early.

For structuring agreements, consider using platforms like:

• Carta – Equity management for startups.
• Clerky – Legal documents for startup founders.

💼 Investor insight: Investors want to see clarity in your cofounder dynamic. A clear division of responsibilities and a fair equity split are green flags.

‍Common mistakes to avoid

‍🚫 Waiting too long to find one. If your startup is tech-heavy, finding a cofounder should be a priority.
🚫 Offering equity without a vesting schedule. Protect yourself with a standard vesting agreement.
🚫 Focusing on skills over alignment. A brilliant engineer isn’t helpful if you have mismatched values or work ethics.
🚫 Lacking clear expectations. Talk about roles, vision, and commitment before making it official.

‍Conclusion

‍Finding the right technical cofounder is about more than just filling a role, it’s about building a partnership that can turn your vision into reality. By clarifying what you need, showing clear progress, and structuring a fair agreement, you can attract the right person to join your journey. Remember, the stronger your foundation, the more appealing your startup will be to both cofounders and investors. Take the time to build it right.

🚀Looking to connect with the right investors once your technical team is in place? Capwave AI helps founders like you build investor relationships that count. Sign up today and take the next step in your startup journey.

For startups, achieving product-market fit (PMF) is like finding the holy grail. It’s the moment when your product resonates so deeply with your target market that growth feels inevitable. Investors ask about it, advisors stress its importance, and founders chase it relentlessly. But what exactly is product-market fit, and how do you know when you’ve reached it?

In this guide, we’ll break down the definition, signs, and strategies for achieving product-market fit, along with examples and actionable steps to help your startup get there.

What is product-market fit? 🎯

Coined by venture capitalist Marc Andreessen, product-market fit is the point where:

• You’ve built a product that solves a real problem for a specific group of people.
• Customers are not just willing but eager to use (and pay for) your product.
• Demand for your solution is growing organically, often through word of mouth.

Simply put, product-market fit happens when your product becomes an essential solution for your target audience. It’s a need, not just a “nice to have.”

‍Product-market fit is critical because it signals to investors that your product solves a real problem for a specific audience, and that customers are willing to pay for it. It’s the strongest indicator of a startup’s potential to grow and scale.

Achieving PMF reduces risk, attracts funding, and provides a clear foundation for scaling operations. Without it, attempts to grow too early often result in wasted time, money, and missed opportunities.

‍When should you have it?

⏳While every startup’s journey is unique, achieving product-market fit generally follows these stages:

‍Months 0-6: Problem discovery & validation

‍(For deep-tech, enterprise, or regulated industries, this phase may take up to 12 months.)

• Conduct customer interviews, define your ICP.
• Test early concepts (landing pages, no-code MVPs).
• Identify initial demand through pre-sales or waitlists.

Months 6-12: MVP development & early traction

‍(For B2B SaaS or complex tech products, this may stretch to 18 months.)

• Build & launch an MVP with core features.
• Onboard early adopters, track engagement & retention.
• Iterate based on feedback, adjust positioning if needed.

Months 12-24: Refinement & traction

‍(Consumer apps or viral products may hit traction faster, while deep-tech and enterprise may take longer.)

• Focus on improving customer retention & organic referrals.
• Optimize pricing & product-market fit indicators.
• If traction is weak, reassess market fit or pivot.

Months 24-36: PMF signals emerge

‍(Some companies take 3+ years to reach PMF. This is normal!)

• Consistent growth in revenue, retention, & inbound demand.
• Lower CAC, repeatable acquisition strategies.
• Increasing investor & partner interest.

Months 36+: Scaling beyond PMF

‍(Some startups take 5+ years to truly scale, depending on market conditions.)

• Expand marketing, sales, & hiring.
• Optimize unit economics, raise growth capital if needed.
• Explore new markets, product expansions, or partnerships.

💡 Check out Guillermo Flor’s post on LinkedIn for proof that the PMF timeline is not a one-size-fits-all. 

‍How do you know if you’ve reached PMF? 🏆

Some of the signs:

• Strong retention: Customers keep coming back because they find your product indispensable.
• High demand: Sales, signups, or waitlists are growing faster than you can keep up with.
• Customer enthusiasm: Users provide glowing feedback, referrals, and even unsolicited praise.
• Revenue growth: You’re making consistent sales or seeing repeat purchases.
• Market buzz: Your product is being talked about organically in your industry or community.

Metrics to watch for:

• Retention rate: A retention rate of over 30% is often a good sign for consumer products.
• Net Promoter Score (NPS): If your NPS is above 50, it indicates strong customer satisfaction.
• Churn rate: A low churn rate signals that customers are sticking around because they see value.

🎯Benchmark: The Sean Ellis test for product-market fit asks: What percentage of your users would be “very disappointed” if they could no longer use your product? A score of 40% or higher is a strong indicator of PMF.

‍How to achieve it 🥇

Know your customer deeply

• Conduct customer interviews and surveys to understand their biggest pain points.
• Build a detailed Ideal Customer Profile (ICP) to focus your efforts on the right audience.

Solve a specific problem

‍Instead of trying to please everyone, focus on solving one key problem exceptionally well. Products that aim to do everything often end up doing nothing effectively.

‍Iterate based on feedback

‍Use early adopters and beta testers to refine your product. Act on feedback to improve usability, eliminate unnecessary features, and focus on what your audience values most.💡Pro tip: Tools like Typeform and Hotjar can help you collect and analyze user feedback.

‍Track the metrics that matter

‍Identify KPIs (key performance indicators) that align with your business model. For SaaS startups, this could be monthly recurring revenue (MRR) or churn rate. For e-commerce, it might be repeat purchase rate.

‍Leverage early traction to iterate

‍If you have a small but loyal user base, study them closely. What keeps them engaged? Why do they stick around? Double down on what’s working.

‍Test your messaging

‍Your product might be great, but poor messaging can prevent you from reaching PMF. Continuously test your value proposition, website copy, and marketing strategies to ensure they resonate with your audience.

‍Common myths 🚧

1. “You’ll know it when you have it.”
   In reality, PMF isn’t always obvious. It’s more of a gradual process than a sudden breakthrough.
2. “You need PMF before you raise funding.”
   While it helps, many pre-seed and seed-stage startups raise funds to achieve PMF. Showing progress toward PMF can still attract investors.
3. “Once you have PMF, you’re set.”
   Markets change, competitors emerge, and customer needs evolve. Even after achieving PMF, staying in tune with your audience is crucial.

‍What to do once you’ve achieved PMF 📈

‍Once you’ve reached it, the next steps are all about scaling:

1. Focus on growth: Ramp up your sales, marketing, and customer acquisition efforts.
2. Expand your team: Bring on specialists to handle the growing demand.
3. Prepare for fundraising: Use your traction and metrics to build a compelling story for investors. Use platforms like Capwave AI to find the right investors.
4. Streamline operations: Ensure your business can handle the increasing volume of customers without sacrificing quality.

‍Conclusion

‍Product-market fit is the foundation of every successful startup. It’s the point where your product stops being a “nice-to-have” and becomes a “must-have” for your customers. By deeply understanding your audience, solving real problems, and iterating based on feedback, you’ll set your startup up for long-term success.

Whether you’re working toward PMF or scaling after achieving it, Capwave AI is here to support you. Sign up today to connect with investors and resources that can help you take your next step.

Investors need to see traction early, and a well-run beta test is one of the best ways to demonstrate real user interest, validate your product, and build credibility before raising funds. That’s why beta testing is one of the smartest moves you can make before a full-scale launch. The right beta test can validate your idea, refine your product, and even attract early investors.

In this guide, we’ll walk through how to run a successful beta test, what mistakes to avoid, and how to use your beta to impress investors (even if you have no revenue yet).

What is beta testing and why does it matter? 🧪

Beta testing is the process of releasing your product to a small group of users before a public launch. These early testers provide real-world feedback, helping you:

• Identify bugs and usability issues
• Understand customer behavior and needs
• Validate your market fit with real users
• Build early traction and credibility for fundraising

💡 Slack started as an internal tool at a gaming company. Their beta testing process helped them realize the real product was team communication, not gaming. Today, Slack is worth billions.

‍Step 1: Define your beta testing goals

‍Before inviting users, get clear on what you want to learn. Are you testing:

• Usability? (Do users understand the product?)
• Technical stability? (Does the product work smoothly?)
• Feature validation? (Which features do users actually care about?)
• Conversion paths? (Do beta users take the actions you expect?)

🎯 Pro tip: Choose one primary goal to keep the test focused.

‍Step 2: Build a beta tester group

‍Your beta users should match your ideal customer profile. You don’t need 100 beta testers, just around 10-20 active ones that match your target audience. Start with:

1. Existing network – Friends, colleagues, LinkedIn connections
2. Online communities – Reddit, Indie Hackers, Facebook groups
3. Beta testing platforms – Betalist or Product Hunt
4. Landing pages & waitlists – Tools like Carrd or Tally make it easy to collect signups

💡 Dropbox’s beta strategy required users to invite friends to get access, creating a viral waitlist effect.

‍Step 3: Set up a feedback loop

‍Feedback is the most important part of a beta test. Structure it well:

• Recruitment: Read this article for a playbook in email personalization
• Surveys & forms: Use Typeform or Google Forms for structured feedback
• Virtual user interviews: One-on-one calls for deep insights. Bring along a virtual notetaker like Fathom for advanced insights
• Analytics tracking: Stay organized with tools like Notion, use Hotjar for heatmaps, or Mixpanel for user behavior
• Slack or Discord groups: Create a space for open discussion

💡 Instead of vague questions like Did you like the product?, ask:

• What problem were you hoping this product would solve for you?
• Which features were the most useful to you?
• What alternative solutions or competitors have you used? How does this compare?
• If you could add any new feature, what would it be?
• What’s the most frustrating part of using this product?
• What did you expect it to do that it didn’t?
• Would you recommend this to a friend? Why or why not?

Step 4: Iterate and improve

‍Now, it’s time to act on the feedback. Prioritize based on:

• Critical bugs: Fix anything that blocks core functionality.
• UX issues: If users are confused, rethink your onboarding and design.
• Feature validation: If users don’t care about a feature, consider removing it.
• Focus on the value add: Double down on what users love most. Identify the features that provide the most value and make them even stronger. Your product needs to solve a real problem in a meaningful way.

💼 Investor insight: Showing how you’ve iterated based on beta feedback makes a great story for pitch decks. Investors love data-driven improvements.

‍Step 5: Use beta results to impress investors

‍Even if you have no revenue yet, your beta results can be powerful proof of traction. Here’s how to frame it:

• User growth: "We had 75+ beta signups in 3 weeks."
• Engagement: "80% of beta users returned within 7 days."
• Feedback: "75% said they would pay for the product."

💼 Include beta stats in your investor pitch: tools like Capwave AI can help you refine your deck.

‍Common mistakes to avoid 🚫

• Skipping a clear goal: if you don’t define what success looks like, you’ll drown in feedback.
• Testing with the wrong audience: your mom loves your startup, but she’s not your target customer.
• Not collecting usable data: avoid vague feedback like “It’s cool.” Ask specific questions.
• Launching too late: you don’t need to be perfect. Test early, test often.

Capwave’s top picks

• Typeform – Create seamless surveys and forms
• Product Hunt – Engage in discussions, launch your product, and gain early traction
• Notion – Organize beta testing feedback and track iterations
• Fathom – Record and analyze user interviews to capture key insights
• Slack – Create a community for beta testers and facilitate real-time discussion

🚀 Need help refining your investor pitch based on beta feedback? Capwave AI makes it easy to sharpen your deck, and connect with the right investors who want to fund you. Sign up today to start your fundraising journey smarter.