Founder Unfriendly

A strategy guide for founders who want to understand—and influence—the behaviour of venture capitalists and investors so they can get their companies funded.

In Founder Unfriendly: A No-Nonsense Guide to How Investment Decisions Actually Get Made, veteran venture capitalist Charlie O’Donnell walks you through what actually happens after you leave a pitch meeting. Based on his own extensive, first-hand experience, O’Donnell provides a clear answer to the question of why so many “mediocre” startups get funded while young companies with brilliant concepts and people get passed over time and time again.

Skipping the endless clichés about “successful founder traits” and recycled startup wisdom, O’Donnell gets right to the heart of why real VCs in the real world fund real companies with real money. He also explains exactly why those same investors say no so often, as well as what it might take to move them from a no to an enthusiastic yes.

Inside the book:

• Granular, specific advice that will transform your pitch deck from a liability into a game-changing asset
• Strategies to shape the conversations investors have after you leave the room as they decide whether to fund your venture
• How to change your strategy based on the relative strength and momentum of the sectors you operate in

Perfect for first-time entrepreneurs trying to get the lay of the investor landscape, Founder Unfriendly is also a must-read for seasoned business owners trying to hone their fundraising strategies. It’s packed with proven and practical tools to help you build your company while capturing as much of the resulting value as possible.