Do you have to raise venture capital? With MPD
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Your Pitch Deck Probably Sucks...
For most first-time founders, the idea of a pitch deck sounds easy, but I often get decks with "v43" in the filename, implying it's the 43rd iteration of a deck 😖
Don't be this founder. Collaborate with active VCs on your deck and pay a professional designer to eliminate the guesswork and make a strong first impression when you're ready to pitch to investors.
I use DECKO for my clients to ensure I'm getting the expertise we need to get a great deck turned around quickly. They're a group of active VCs who help founders with their decks, you can't go wrong. And you get 10% off with the link below.
Give them a try.
Upgrade Your Pitch Deck with Decko
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You Don't Have To Raise Venture Capital
In this eye-opening episode of Fundraising Demystified, I sit down with Mark Peter Davis, Managing Partner at Interplay Ventures, about the realities of venture capital and smart fundraising strategies for founders.
Mark challenges the "VC or bust" mentality, offering founders a fresh perspective on building sustainable businesses. He shares practical advice from his book "The Fundraising Rules" and reveals what Interplay looks for in potential investments. Don't miss Mark's parting words of wisdom – a powerful reminder that while fundraising is a crucial skill, it's ultimately about building a great company that can stand on its own merits.
Here's what you're in for:
- 01:10 Introduction to Mark Peter Davis and Interplay Ventures
- 06:30 The mission and structure of Interplay's startup ecosystem
- 09:03 Notable successes and exits from Interplay's portfolio
- 13:35 What Interplay looks for in potential investments
- 14:40 Insights from Mark's book "The Fundraising Rules"
- 22:38 Why most companies shouldn't raise venture capital
- 25:59 Differences between raising capital as a founder vs. a GP
- 28:23 Interplay's investment criteria and portfolio construction
- 30:50 How founders can get Interplay's attention and the investment process
- 35:34 Interplay's unique approach to due diligence
- 40:35 Mark's parting advice for founders raising venture capital
ABOUT MARK PETER DAVIS
Mark Peter Davis ("MPD") is a veteran venture capitalist, serial entrepreneur, and author with a track record of success across multiple facets of the startup ecosystem. He is the Founder and Managing Partner of Interplay Ventures, a unique venture capital and incubation firm that has invested in unicorns like Coinbase and Warby Parker.
MPD co-founded several startups, including Kohort and Zotspot, and has invested in over 40 companies. His book, "The Fundraising Rules" is a go-to guide for entrepreneurs navigating the capital-raising process. Mark is also the founder of influential networking groups like the NY Venture Community and Columbia Venture Community.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Free Fundraising Resources
🤓 - Free pitch deck reviews - Submit your deck
💸 - Access working capital fast - Explore options for free
😍 - Free list of AI Recommended VCs - Apply for free
👨💻 - Free fundraising coaching session - Schedule 15 minutes with us
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Premium Resources
🗓️ - Book a one-hour private capital strategy call - Book Now
💫 - Pitch deck design services for founders by VCs - Decko
💼 - Startup Legal Services - Bowery Legal
📚 - Startup Friendly Accounting Services - Chelsea Capital
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Upgrade to Thunder Premium to Unlock:
-
Access to VC firms' team tabs to see active partners of the fund & their LinkedIn
-
Navigate a VC's portfolio to see relevant portcos or competitors, quickly find their founders on LinkedIn to connect with them, and request warm introsA downloadable CSV with the investor emails & LinkedIn URLs
-
Ability to filter your matches and adjust your profile
-
LiteCRM to track your progress
-
Request intros to VCs directly through the platform
-
Get our fundraising guide on how to increase your odds of getting a meeting
- Upgrade to lifetime access (one-time fee of $497) and get a free coaching session
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Let's Connect:
- Hosted by Jason Kirby - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonrkirby/
- Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for market and industry news and tips when it comes to raising capital and growing your business - https://join.thunder.vc
- Seeking to raise capital? Get your list of target VCs by creating a free profile here - https://web.thunder.vc
- Looking to raise debt? Explore tailored debt options for free by completing a profile at https://debt.thunder.vc
- Thank you for being a loyal subscriber to Fundraising Demystified. We appreciate your support, and we're excited to continue bringing you more inspiring stories from successful founders.
