The document discusses key insights and questions received from seed-stage startup founders, focusing on topics like fundraising strategies, building effective board decks, and post-funding actions. It emphasizes the importance of honest communication, growth strategies, and content marketing for successful startup development. Additionally, it invites readers to engage by submitting their own questions for further discussion.

1. A N S W E R S T O T H E
QUESTIONS
10 BIGGEST
W E ’ V E H E A R D F R O M
TECH STARTUPS

2. Here s the deal
,

3. launched a site dedicated entirely to
Here s the deal
In the summer of 2014, we
seed-stage web and mobile startups:
,
( )

4. launched a site dedicated entirely to
Here s the deal
In the summer of 2014, we
seed-stage web and mobile startups:
The View from seed
,
( )

5. launched a site dedicated entirely to
( )
Here s the deal
In the summer of 2014, we
seed-stage web and mobile startups:
The View from seed
ViewFromSeed.com
,

6. AS VCs, WE THOUGHT. . .

7. AS VCs, WE THOUGHT. . .
This stuff’s fun to write about

8. AS VCs, WE THOUGHT. . .
But THIS is what seed-stage
founders actually think about.
Board
Meeting
1

9. AS VCs, WE THOUGHT. . .
But THIS is what seed-stage
founders actually think about.
1
Board
Meeting(And much, much, MUCH more)

10. That’s because founders of
seed-stage startups are in
the weeds building

11. (Not in the clouds thinking)
That’s because founders of
seed-stage startups are in
the weeds building

12. SO WE CRAFTED A MISSION

13. SO WE CRAFTED A MISSION
“Help founders give their companies
the BEST POSSIBLE START.”

14. SO WE CRAFTED A MISSION
“Help founders give their companies
the BEST POSSIBLE START.”
AND WE ASKED FOUNDERS

15. SO WE CRAFTED A MISSION
“Help founders give their companies
the BEST POSSIBLE START.”
AND WE ASKED FOUNDERS
“What questions can we answer for
you on The View From Seed?”

16. And we dedicated our
new blog to this stuff.

17. And we dedicated our
new blog to this stuff.
(Rather than
this stuff.)

18. H E R E A R E T H E
10 Biggest
questions
W E R E C E I V E D &
A N S W E R E D O N
the view
from seed
IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS

19. What’s the best approach to
successfully raise seed capital?
1

20. No fundraise is exactly the same, but we
recommend you cover the following six steps:
1
1. Line up support and references in advance.
2. Get commitments from those who know you.
3. Find a lead investor.
4. Secure value-add, non-lead investors.
5. Share good news during the course of your fundraise.
6. Post-term sheet, optimize your deal.
Read the full post

21. What makes a great seed-
stage startup board deck?
2

22. Board decks should be agreed upon ahead of
time with your board. Generally speaking…
2
• Good board decks are divided into two sections:
“housekeeping” and “major issues.”
• 20-30% of a board meeting should be spent on
housekeeping (at most). These are quick updates.
• 50% should be spent discussing major issues (at least).
VIEW THE TEMPLATES
To help you, we launched the Board Deck Templates for Startups:

23. How does an investor
syndicate form to complete
my seed round?
3

24. When a syndicate forms and multiple investors
get involved, lots of factors are at play at once:
31. Investor Check Sizes
2. Willingness to Lead
3. A Lead’s Post-Raise Presence
4. Board Seat Requirements
5. Value-Add (e.g. Platform)
6. Geography
Read the full post
7. Sector Focus of Investors
8. Follow-on Capital
9. Conflicts in Existing Portfolios
10. Prestige of an Investor
11. Institutional LPs & VC Structure
12. Interpersonal Dynamics
We go into detail on what founders should know for each:

25. Is there anything I should do
immediately after raising seed?
4

26. Yes. There are several consequences of raising
seed which create some very critical to-dos:
41. Recognition: Thank others and celebrate with the team.
2. Logistics: Secure D&O insurance, an accounting firm, etc.
3. Funding Announcement: PR and legal considerations.
4. Board & Investor Communication: Share required info.
5. Hiring Plans: Set salary bands, articulate needs, etc.
VIEW THE CHECKLIST
To stay organized and execute, try this one-page checklist:

27. After I raise seed, what’s the
best strategy to raise Series A?
5
A

28. We analyzed our portfolio companies that
successfully raised Series A and found four
distinct strategies for securing this milestone:5
1. Build Audience Momentum: Big, fast, topline growth.
2. Generate Real Revenue: A strong sign this is investable.
3. Craft a Small Scale Machine: Attractive unit economics.
4. Huge Vision: Sell others on your unstoppable promise.
VIEW the SLIDESHARE
A
Check out the complete, quick-hitting analysis and data:

29. Should startups blog? Why?
How can I generate demand?
6

30. Rather than blogging about your company, your
hires, or your opinions, aim to do two things:
61. Publish helpful content that aims to solve the same
problem that your product and company addresses.
2. Grow a collection of this useful content over time,
rather than scrutinize the views of each post.
Read the full post
In our essay, we look at data and a playbook from a startup blog
that yields 70% of its results from posts published 30+ days prior.

31. I’m a believer in content
marketing (or I want to try it).
How should I execute?
7

32. This is a hot topic, so we created a playbook to
help you execute your strategy. It features:
7• Exact steps to follow to articulate your strategy
and get up and running in not a lot of time.
• Interviews with entrepreneurs who have found
success through content marketing.
• Hacks and scrappy ways to build your audience.
• Free tools you can use to save time and money.
READ THE PLAYBOOK

33. What’s the role of a COO?
Should I hire for this position?
8

34. Startup veteran and longtime COO Stephano
Kim offers the following advice to founders:
8• A COO should (1) assess opportunities and challenges, (2)
gather and unify a team, (3) identify the right processes
and metrics, and (4) mitigate risk and navigate uncertainty.
• So do you need a COO? If you’re struggling to stay focused,
that’s a sign that help is likely needed. A COO is the right
choice (vs. a VP) if what you need is a leadership partner
rather than a functional department head.
READ THE FULL POST

35. What are the various types of
early-stage funding to know?
9

36. 9 While some agree on what a prototypical seed
round looks like, many new types have emerged:
READ THE FULL POST
• Genesis Round
• Lean-In Seed Extension
• Building Seed Round (Seed II)
• Super Seed Round
• Preemie Series A
• Pass-the-Hat Seed Extension
• Bridge to Sale/Financing
• Bridge to Nowhere
The Good
The Bad
The Ugly

37. I’m struggling, but everyone
else claims they’re “killing it.”
What should I do?
10

38. 10
This is a real issue. Not everyone is “killing it”
but saying so prevents many smart founders
from seeking help to any number of issues.
Communicate with your team.
• Know the difference between honesty and unnecessary panic.
• Frame the solution and involve your team in the plan.
• Don’t blindside them. Hiding issues only exacerbate them.
Communicate with your investors.
• Be direct. Share challenges promptly.
• Communicate challenges one-on-one.
• Be decisive about the way forward.
READ THE FULL POST
Our industry promotes too much hyperbole. We need more open, honest discussion.

39. What can we answer for you on
The View From Seed?
Our question to you:
Tweet @ me, Jay Acunzo, Director
of Platform at NextView Ventures
(As the editor for The View From Seed, what
questions can I make sure we address to help
you give your company the best possible start?)

40. What can we answer for you on
The View From Seed?
Our question to you:
Tweet @ me, Jay Acunzo, Director
of Platform at NextView Ventures
(As the editor for The View From Seed, what
questions can I make sure we address to help
you give your company the best possible start?)
(Click to tweet.)