In this episode, we sit down with Coco Brown, founder of Athena Alliance, to discuss her journey of transforming a nonprofit into a venture-backed enterprise and successfully raising $2.5M in funding.

Coco shares her experience with the challenging fundraising climate of 2023 and how she navigated countless investor rejections.

She talks about the pivotal moment when one investor’s commitment turned things around and how that single yes sparked a wave of support.

We explore her strategies for capital efficiency, the importance of community, and the innovative approaches she took to secure funding.

Listeners will gain insights into the realities of raising capital, the power of perseverance, and the impact of having a strong network.

Coco's story is a testament to the resilience and creativity required to succeed in the startup world.

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If you're looking for more fundraising content, grab our weekly newsletter packed full of strategies and insights around how to raise money: fundedpod.com/newsletter

If you're looking to learn how Adamant is helping founders prepare for their fundraise, head here: admnt.com

In this episode, we're tackling an important startup scenario: unexpected VC interest.

We'll be answering a question Jason received from a founder who received an out-of-the-blue email from an investor.

We'll also some practical tips on how to handle these situations smoothly, including ways to maintain control of the conversation and your timeline, the benefits of not immediately jumping into fundraising mode, how to research potential investors, and what to prepare (spoiler: less than you might think) for initial meetings.

Plus, we'll give you some pointers on transitioning from casual chats to formal fundraising when you're ready.

Whether you're new to the startup world or a seasoned pro, this episode has some valuable insights you can put to use.

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If you're looking for more fundraising content, grab our weekly newsletter packed full of strategies and insights around how to raise money: fundedpod.com/newsletter

If you're looking to learn how Adamant is helping founders prepare for their fundraise, head here: admnt.com

In this episode of The Back Channel, we dive into five thought-provoking strategies to elevate your fundraising game while challenging existing advice.

We explore concepts like pitch deck templates, riskiness of your idea, seeking rejection, tiering investors, and fundraising preparation.

Join us as we challenge norms and empower you to refine your fundraising tactics effectively.

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If you're looking for more fundraising content, grab our weekly newsletter packed full of strategies and insights around how to raise money: fundedpod.com/newsletter

If you're looking to learn how Adamant is helping founders prepare for their fundraise, head here: admnt.com