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RTC #33: Your summer prep to successfully raise in September
Top 3 must-reads, listens & follows

๐ Welcome to โRoad-To-Capitalโ your weekly companion on Venture Capital and startup financing. This newsletter is about tactical advice and helping you understand how early-stage investors think and act. Follow me along for weekly deep dives, and exclusive expert talks, and to stay ahead with the latest headlines and tools.
๐ What do you love most in Road-To-Capital? (Pick one) |
๐ข Top 7 links of the week
๐ VCs in US vs. VCs in Europe (Link) - My favorite this week
๐ The 5 best tools to raise venture capital - For FREE (Link)
๐ This was one of the best acquisitions EVER (Link)
๐ How important is prior founder experience when starting a company? (Link)
๐ VC vs. Non-VC backed valuations in equity crowdfunding (Link)
๐ All the new European unicorns of 2024 (Link)
๐ How to build a startup as a non-technical founder (Link)
๐ Report of the week
How to perfectly relax in Ibiza (by Stephan Freudl) ๐๏ธ
๐คฟ Your summer prep to successfully raise capital in September
Taking a break feels hard, especially when currently raising or planning to raise capital.
You might think you need to push through without a day off.
And Carta comes around and tells you that no summer fundraising is a myth and now is actually a good time.

I hear you, and I understand.
From years of experience and many summers, hereโs my advice:
Take a week off.
I mean: Truly disconnect - no working in between, no checking emails.
It will pay you back (maybe even big time).
Side note: If you are about to sign your term sheet with you lead VC the next days, the worst thing to do now is actually taking off for a week. ๐คช
This issue today is for everyone taking a week (or two) fully off.
Iโve put together a summer list for you.
The goal?
Preparing you to raise successfully after summer.
Spoiler warning: I will not be the 100th person recommending โThe Hard Thing About Hard Thingsโ by Ben Horowitz to you.
๐ Here comes the list of the top 3 hidden gems to read, follow & listen for your time at the beach ๐
๐ Must-Reads
Why: To level up your fundraising game
โก๏ธ Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol Dweck
โก๏ธ Fundraising by Bryan Breslow
โก๏ธ Founders at Work: Stories of Startups' Early Days by Jessica Livingstone
๐ฐ Must-Follows
Why: To broaden your perspective
๐๏ธ Must-Listen
Why: To understand the world of Venture Capital
โก๏ธ The Full Ratchet
โก๏ธ Drinks with a VC
โก๏ธ Venture Backed
๐ธ Top 3 Road-To-Capital Posts (2024)
Why: Setting the framework for your fundraising process
Let me know what you like most!
Hasta luego de Ibiza!
Have a great week,
Stephan ๐
Issue #33 | 30 July 2024
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