Why Most Founders Fail at Fundraising: The Step-by-Step Guide to Raising Capital Successfully

From zero to funded - the brutally honest playbook every first-time founder needs before raising capital. Hugo, partner at Dopamine Ventures and former head of legal at Global Ventures, pulls back the curtain on the fundraising journey that most entrepreneurs get wrong. This isn't another fluff piece about unicorns and valuations - it's the real talk about why raising money is like signing up for a new boss (and why you might not want one).
Forget the glamorized startup stories. Hugo breaks down the uncomfortable truths:
• Why faking FOMO instantly kills your deal (and how investors verify your claims)
• The exact 2-3 week roadshow strategy that creates real urgency
• Why sending MORE than a pitch deck is actually hurting your chances • The vesting trap that could cost you everything you've built
• How to calculate if you're giving away too much equity (spoiler: most founders are)

From friends and family rounds to VC negotiations, Hugo maps out every document you need, every email to send, and every mistake to avoid. Learn why MVPs that embarrass you are actually powerful, when presales trump everything, and the one ChatGPT hack that could save you thousands in legal fees. Plus: The co-founder equity splits that prevent 50% of startup deaths, why accelerators might be costing you more than they're worth, and the shadow negotiation happening after every "we have other investors interested" claim. Whether you're sitting on a PowerPoint and a dream or ready to scale with your first $500K, this episode delivers the step-by-step process from first email to signed term sheet. No sugar-coating, just the tactical blueprint that takes 2-6 months and could change everything.

BONUS: Win a free 1-hour consultation with Hugo to review your fundraising strategy!
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