Should You Even Start?
Most founders jump straight into fundraising without asking the uncomfortable questions first. And that's why they waste months — sometimes years — chasing capital they're not ready to receive.
Venture funding isn't for everyone. It's not even for most businesses. Before you spend your energy preparing pitch decks and networking with investors, you need clarity on whether this path actually suits your company's stage, structure, and ambitions.
We've worked with Australian startups since 2019. Some were ready. Many weren't. The ones who succeeded didn't just have good ideas — they had honest conversations with themselves first.
Six Questions That Matter
These aren't theoretical checkboxes. They're based on what investors actually evaluate when they decide whether to take a meeting with you.
Can You Scale Fast?
Service businesses and lifestyle companies rarely interest venture investors. They're looking for models that can grow revenue 10x without growing headcount 10x. If your growth relies on adding more people for every customer, that's a signal.
Do You Need Capital?
Bootstrapping isn't just an option — sometimes it's the smarter choice. If you can reach profitability without outside money, you keep control and avoid dilution. Raising capital makes sense when it accelerates something that's already working.
Is Your Market Big Enough?
Investors need to believe your addressable market can support a company worth hundreds of millions. Niche markets are fine for great businesses, but they don't attract venture capital. Think about the total opportunity, not just your initial segment.
Are You Solving Something Real?
Solutions searching for problems don't get funded. Investors back founders who've identified a genuine pain point and built something people actually want to pay for. Customer validation matters more than clever technology.
Can You Articulate Your Edge?
What stops competitors from copying you in six months? It might be network effects, proprietary data, regulatory advantages, or team expertise. But it can't just be "we'll execute better" — that's not defensible.
Do You Want This Life?
Venture funding changes your company fundamentally. You're committing to aggressive growth targets, eventual exit pressure, and sharing major decisions with board members. Some founders thrive in that environment. Others regret it.
What Preparation Actually Looks Like
- You've tested your business model with real customers who pay you real money — not just friends who say they "would definitely use this"
- Your financials tell a coherent story about how you've spent money so far and where the next dollar of investment creates measurable growth
- You can explain your unit economics clearly and show a realistic path to profitability, even if that path requires additional funding
- You understand your competitive landscape well enough to position your company accurately without dismissing threats or overselling advantages
- Your founding team has complementary skills and clear role divisions — not three technical co-founders who all want to be CEO eventually
- You've identified your likely investor profile and can articulate why your opportunity matches their thesis and portfolio strategy
Who You'll Work With
Our advisors have been through fundraising themselves. They know what works because they've done it, not just read about it.
Hamish Sutherland
Venture Funding Specialist
Raised Series A through C for his fintech startup before selling to a Sydney-based bank in 2023. Now helps founders avoid the mistakes he made.
Vesna Dimitrova
Early Stage Advisor
Spent eight years at Melbourne VC firms evaluating hundreds of pre-seed and seed pitches. She knows what makes investors say yes — and why most get a polite no.
Orla Kavanagh
Financial Modeling Expert
Former investment banker who switched to startup advisory in 2020. She builds the financial models that actually convince institutional investors to write checks.
Your Path From Here
Whether you're ready now or need six months of groundwork, here's what typically happens next.
Initial Assessment
Week 1–2
We review where your business stands today — traction, team, financials, and competitive position. This honest evaluation determines whether you're ready to approach investors or if foundation work comes first.
Foundation Building
8–16 Weeks
Most founders need to strengthen their business fundamentals before they're investor-ready. That might mean refining unit economics, testing pricing models, or building out your leadership team. We guide this preparation work.
Strategy Development
3–4 Weeks
Once your business foundation is solid, we develop your fundraising strategy — target investor profiles, optimal raise size, valuation positioning, and pitch narrative. This strategy shapes everything that follows.
Materials Preparation
4–6 Weeks
You'll need a compelling pitch deck, detailed financial model, executive summary, and data room documentation. We help create materials that answer investor questions before they're asked.
Investor Engagement
Ongoing From July 2026
Our next cohort begins investor introductions in mid-2026. You'll meet with potential backers, refine your pitch based on real feedback, and navigate due diligence. We stay involved through term sheet negotiation and closing.
Ready to Find Out Where You Stand?
Book a candid assessment call with our team. No sales pressure — just honest feedback about whether venture funding makes sense for your business right now.
Schedule Assessment