Thread by @sujaldkl

I was funded for my startup within 48 hours of the first intro.

Before that, multiple VCs had passed on us.

Here’s what I did differently:

1) Conviction

During previous meetings, it was always: “If this works out, I’ll go all in. If X happens, maybe Y...”

In the meeting that closed, my energy was completely different: “I’m already going all in. This is the plan; you can be a part of my journey or not.”

TRUE conviction is contagious.

2) Traction (even pre-product)

I always fumbled this one: “we’re almost done, and it’ll be out in a few weeks...”

Traction at pre-product isn’t about the product being done, it’s about:
- customer interviews
- waitlist signups
- LOIs

Instead of repeating that my product was close to done, I said I had done 50+ deep customer interviews, dozens of waitlist signups, and 2 LOIs.

Investors don’t need a shipped product, but they do need proof that someone wants it.

3) Warm Intros (but not from who you think)

I kept asking my VC friends to intro me to other VCs... nothing landed.

What actually worked? A friend in my network, another founder.

Warm intros don't need to come from VCs; talk to everyone who can help, you never know!

4) Team Chemistry

Simply put, on the call, don’t be a stiff robot.

We were laughing, cracking jokes, and talking about the crazy story of how we became friends.

Investors invest in people: show them you actually trust each other and would survive hardship together.

TLDR

If you’re a pre-product founder raising:

Conviction > Pitch Deck
Traction = Interviews + waitlist + LOIs
Warm intros from everyone, NOT just VCs
Chemistry > Polish

What’s been hardest for you when raising?