fundraising

What this skill does

# Fundraising

Fundraising strategy, investor targeting, term sheet analysis, and SAFE/convertible note structures.

## Purpose

Navigate the fundraising process from strategy through close. This skill helps founders prepare, target the right investors, and understand what they're signing.

## Workflow

### Step 1: Fundraising Readiness Assessment
- Do you need to raise? (Bootstrap vs. raise decision)
- What stage are you? (Pre-seed, seed, Series A)
- What milestones have you hit?
- What milestones do you need this capital to reach?

### Step 2: Strategy
- How much to raise (18 months of runway rule of thumb)
- Valuation expectations and comps
- Instrument: SAFE, convertible note, priced round
- Timeline: 3-6 months typical

### Step 3: Investor Targeting
Criteria for a good fit:
- Stage alignment (don't pitch Series B funds at seed)
- Sector/industry focus
- Check size compatibility
- Portfolio synergies (not conflicts)
- Value-add beyond capital

### Step 4: Materials Preparation
- Pitch deck (link to pitch-deck skill)
- Financial model (link to financial-modeling skill)
- Data room: cap table, incorporation docs, key metrics
- One-pager / teaser for cold outreach

### Step 5: Term Sheet Education
Key terms to understand:
- Valuation (pre-money vs. post-money)
- Dilution and pro-rata rights
- Liquidation preferences
- Board seats and control
- Anti-dilution provisions
- Vesting schedules

### Step 6: SAFE / Convertible Note Comparison
| Feature | SAFE | Convertible Note |
|---------|------|-----------------|
| Debt? | No | Yes |
| Interest? | No | Yes |
| Maturity? | No | Yes |
| Conversion | Next priced round | Maturity or round |
| Complexity | Low | Medium |

## Output Format
```markdown
## Fundraising Strategy: [Company]

### Readiness Assessment
[Assessment]

### Raise Parameters
- Amount: $X
- Instrument: [SAFE/Note/Priced]
- Target close: [Date]

### Investor List Criteria
[Targeting criteria]

### Materials Checklist
- [ ] Pitch deck
- [ ] Financial model
- [ ] One-pager
- [ ] Data room

### Term Sheet Key Terms
[Explanation of relevant terms]
```

## Constraints
- This is not legal or financial advice — always recommend consulting a lawyer for term sheets
- Don't make promises about fundraising outcomes
- Be honest about fundraising difficulty — most startups don't raise
- Note that fundraising is a means to an end, not a milestone in itself