🌊 How not to raise money

A founder’s checklist of fundraising mistakes to avoid.

👋 I’m Ivan. I study how top 1% startups grow.

“All I want to know is where I’m going to die, so I’ll never go there.”

- Charlie Munger

Reading “Poor Charlie’s Almanack” between sets this summer (full corelord).

One idea stuck: inversion.

And it hit me, this is one of the most powerful mental models for fundraising.

Because while fundraising can feel subjective, there’s a fixed set of moves that almost guarantee failure.

So, here’s the checklist on how to fail at fundraising:

Researching who to pitch to:

• Never ask yourself if your business needs venture capital Vs other options.

• Don’t spend time researching and targeting not just the fund but the specific investors that tend to invest in your space and match your vibe.

• Never ask for a warm introduction through a mutual connection.