💡 The First Thing You Should Do If You Plan to Raise Capital in 2026
If you plan to raise capital in 2026, there’s one thing that matters more than decks, intros, or even traction — and almost everyone underestimates it.
Start building relationships now.
Not when you “open the round.”
Not when revenue looks perfect.
Not when you desperately need money.
Right now. This week.
Here’s a simple exercise I recommend founders do before anything else:
Start building relationships now.
Not when you “open the round.”
Not when revenue looks perfect.
Not when you desperately need money.
Right now. This week.
Here’s a simple exercise I recommend founders do before anything else:
1️⃣ Find startups in your domain that raised recently
Look for companies:
In your industry
At your stage — or one stage ahead
Use Crunchbase, LinkedIn, press, or Twitter.
2️⃣ Find the founders
Go to LinkedIn. Look at their background, posts, interviews.
3️⃣ Reach out — but do it well
Don’t ask for intros.
Don’t pitch.
Ask for specific advice on fundraising:
“What surprised you most when you raised?”
“What would you do differently at pre-seed?”
“What traction really mattered to your investors?”
Make it clear you did your homework.
Founders don’t have time — they choose between talking to you or getting extra sleep.
4️⃣ Have the conversation → build the relationship
These founders:
Recently raised
Know which investors are active
Understand the current market
They’re often the best future source of warm intros — if you build trust first.
5️⃣ Add them to your update list
After the conversation, keep them updated.
Monthly. Consistently.
This is how relationships compound.
This is the most undervalued part of fundraising — and you’re actually in the best possible moment to do it before pressure kicks in.
Look for companies:
In your industry
At your stage — or one stage ahead
Use Crunchbase, LinkedIn, press, or Twitter.
2️⃣ Find the founders
Go to LinkedIn. Look at their background, posts, interviews.
3️⃣ Reach out — but do it well
Don’t ask for intros.
Don’t pitch.
Ask for specific advice on fundraising:
“What surprised you most when you raised?”
“What would you do differently at pre-seed?”
“What traction really mattered to your investors?”
Make it clear you did your homework.
Founders don’t have time — they choose between talking to you or getting extra sleep.
4️⃣ Have the conversation → build the relationship
These founders:
Recently raised
Know which investors are active
Understand the current market
They’re often the best future source of warm intros — if you build trust first.
5️⃣ Add them to your update list
After the conversation, keep them updated.
Monthly. Consistently.
This is how relationships compound.
This is the most undervalued part of fundraising — and you’re actually in the best possible moment to do it before pressure kicks in.
Dasha Kroshkina
Founder of Fundraising Bootcamp
Serial startup founder ($5M raised)
Techstars & Berkeley SkyDeck alumni
Forbes 30u30
Venture partner in VC fund
Serial startup founder ($5M raised)
Techstars & Berkeley SkyDeck alumni
Forbes 30u30
Venture partner in VC fund
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