Fundraising Checklist

Fundraising Preparation Checklist for [Company Name].

Funding Round Details:
- Round type: [Seed/Series A/Series B]
- Target amount: [Funding goal]
- Timeline: [Expected close date]
- Target investors: [Investor types]

PREPARATION

Documents & Materials:
- [ ] Business plan (10-15 pages)
- [ ] Executive summary (1-2 pages)
- [ ] Pitch deck (12-15 slides)
- [ ] Financial model (3-year projections)
- [ ] Product demo (working prototype)
- [ ] Customer testimonials
- [ ] Traction metrics and proof
- [ ] Market research data
- [ ] Competitive analysis
- [ ] Use of funds breakdown

Legal & Corporate:
- [ ] Incorporation documents
- [ ] Cap table (cap table) clear
- [ ] Articles of incorporation
- [ ] Stock option plan
- [ ] Founder equity agreements
- [ ] IP assignment agreements
- [ ] Corporate bylaws
- [ ] Board resolutions
- [ ] Previous investment docs

Financial Preparation:
- [ ] Accounting records organized
- [ ] Tax returns (past 2 years)
- [ ] Financial statements
- [ ] Cash flow projections
- [ ] Unit economics calculated
- [ ] Revenue model validated
- [ ] Burn rate documented

Team & Advisors:
- [ ] Leadership bios prepared
- [ ] Key employee agreements finalized
- [ ] Advisory board assembled
- [ ] References available
- [ ] Team background checks
- [ ] Key person insurance

INVESTOR RELATIONS

Investor Research:
- [ ] Target investor list (50-100)
- [ ] Investor preferences researched
- [ ] Portfolio company overlap checked
- [ ] Previous investments analyzed
- [ ] Investment stage alignment verified
- [ ] Geographical focus confirmed
- [ ] Sector focus confirmed

Outreach Strategy:
- [ ] Investor introduction strategy
- [ ] Email templates prepared
- [ ] Meeting logistics planned
- [ ] Calendar management system
- [ ] Follow-up process
- [ ] Communication timeline

Due Diligence Prep:
- [ ] Data room organized
- [ ] Document repository created
- [ ] Customer references prepared
- [ ] Employee references prepared
- [ ] Technical architecture documented
- [ ] Security/compliance docs
- [ ] Insurance documents

PITCH & PRESENTATION

Pitch Development:
- [ ] Pitch script written (10-12 min)
- [ ] Slide deck designed
- [ ] Supporting materials created
- [ ] Demo prepared and tested
- [ ] Backup slides created
- [ ] Practice sessions scheduled

Pitch Delivery:
- [ ] Pitch practiced (20+ times)
- [ ] Q&A anticipated and prepared
- [ ] Presentation equipment tested
- [ ] Video/demo backup plans
- [ ] Team introductions prepared
- [ ] Storytelling refined

NEGOTIATION PREP

Terms & Legal:
- [ ] Standard SAFE templates
- [ ] Investor rights understood
- [ ] Preferred terms researched
- [ ] Valuation method decided
- [ ] Dilution understood
- [ ] Use of funds allocated

Negotiation Strategy:
- [ ] Walk-away valuation identified
- [ ] Key negotiation points listed
- [ ] Decision-making process clear
- [ ] Board alignment achieved
- [ ] Investor selection criteria
- [ ] Timeline and exit strategy

ONGOING MANAGEMENT

Post-Investment:
- [ ] Investor reporting schedule
- [ ] Update frequency decided
- [ ] KPI dashboard created
- [ ] Board meeting plan
- [ ] Investor relations strategy
- [ ] Milestone tracking

Success Metrics:
- [ ] Seed: [Target metrics]
- [ ] Series A: [Target metrics]
- [ ] Series B: [Target metrics]

Timeline:
- Start: [Date]
- Close target: [Date]
- Allow 3-6 months for process