Henson Venture Partners

??? Looking to raise funding? Finding the right investors can make all the difference. ? Here’s how to build a laser-targeted list of VCs that are the perfect fit for your startup’s stage and sector: https://lnkd.in/e9wABy8S ? And once you’ve got your list, here’s how to get warm intros that actually lead somewhere: https://lnkd.in/ej5jEw9s ?? Don’t spray and pray—be strategic. Backed founders know that the right VC match starts with smart targeting. #Entrepreneurship #Entrepreneur #Startup #Founder #BusinessOwner #Hustle #HustleCulture

?? So You’ve Decided to Raise Venture Capital—Here’s How to Get Started Raising VC money is a big step, and preparation is everything. Before approaching investors, you need to hit key milestones, refine your financial model, and craft a compelling pitch. ? Key Milestones Before Asking VCs for Money: https://lnkd.in/eZjNeKvw ? Is Your Financial Model Ready? https://lnkd.in/dnyr7dPq ? Crafting the Perfect Pitch Deck I’ve also attached my Best Pitch Decks Guide, which outlines exactly what investors look for in a winning pitch. Follow these steps, and you’ll be set up for success. ?? Raising capital is about more than just money—it’s about positioning your startup for long-term growth. Are you ready? Drop your questions below! ?? #VentureCapital #Fundraising #Startups #PitchDeck #HensonVC Henson Venture Partners Gregory Scott Henson

?? Should You Raise VC Money? Here’s Everything You Need to Review One of the biggest decisions a founder can make is whether or not to raise venture capital. While VC funding can fuel rapid growth, it’s not always the right path for every startup. Before jumping in, here are the key things you need to evaluate: 1?? Is VC the Right Funding Path for Your Startup? Venture capital isn’t free money—it comes with expectations of hypergrowth, scalability, and a potential exit. If you’re building a high-growth business and need capital to capture market share quickly, VC might make sense. But if your business is profitable, sustainable, and growing steadily, there might be better options. ?? Watch this breakdown: https://lnkd.in/e3YQr5pX 2?? Have You Explored Other Funding Alternatives? Before giving up equity, consider: ? Bootstrapping – Growing with revenue and reinvesting profits. ? Grants & Competitions – Non-dilutive funding opportunities. ? Revenue-Based Financing – Growth capital without giving up ownership. ? Crowdfunding – A way to validate demand while raising funds. ?? Explore alternatives: https://lnkd.in/eTycKGGj 3?? Are You Ready to Give Up Equity & Control? Raising VC money means bringing in investors who will own a piece of your company. You’ll likely have a board, investor expectations, and pressure to hit aggressive growth targets. Are you ready for that trade-off? ?? Understand the impact: https://lnkd.in/g5v7gYWM Final Thought: VC isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Some of the biggest companies in the world never raised venture funding and still built billion-dollar businesses. Others took VC and used it as a rocket fuel for hypergrowth. The key is knowing what’s right for YOUR business. Gregory Scott Henson #startups #vc #startuptips #founders #investors #founder #investor #venturecapital #angelinvestors

????Every founder dreams of landing that big check, but fundraising comes with hidden pitfalls that can cost you more than just equity. ... #startups #vc #startuptips #founders #investors #founder #investor #venturecapital #angelinvestors

?? A Signed Term Sheet Doesn't Guarantee Funding Just because you have a signed term sheet doesn’t mean the deal is done. ? Investors can—and sometimes do—pull out last minute. I’ve seen it happen, even after everything seemed locked in. ? The lesson? Nothing is real until the money is wired. Keep fundraising momentum going, even after securing a commitment. Anticipate roadblocks, have backup plans, and never stop building relationships. Entrepreneurship is unpredictable, but preparation gives you the edge. ???? #StartupFunding #Entrepreneurship #VentureCapital #HensonVenturePartners #FundraisingTips

Fundraising is 90% Relationship Building, 10% Transactional. Investors don't invest in decks; they invest in people. Building trust matters more than your financials. The best time to raise is when you don't need the money. Stay in touch with investors before you need to ask. Play the long game: some of my biggest investors came from relationships built years before they wrote a check. ... #startups #vc #startuptips #founders #investors #founder #investor #venturecapital #angelinvestors

Do Early-Stage Startups Need a Financial Model for Fundraising? This is a question I get from founders all the time. Here’s our take: In school, you’re taught to have a detailed business plan and financial model from day one. In reality? Everything changes. Your early projections will be wildly wrong, and the levers you think drive growth may shift completely. Investors know this—they’ve seen it happen over and over. What they don’t know is if YOU know that. VCs/investors invest in founders, not just ideas. They look for: ? Can you prioritize what matters? ? Do you understand that your “plan” will change? Presenting detailed pre-seed financials can actually work against you—it signals that you might be too rigid or focused on the wrong things. So why do some VCs/investors ask for a financial model? It’s not about accuracy—it’s a test to see if you can break down value levers, spot opportunities, and adapt quickly when needed. The takeaway? Each investor evaluates risk differently. Do your homework—talk to their portfolio founders, read their content, and make sure they’re the right partner for you. What’s been your experience with investor expectations? Let’s discuss?? #Startups #Fundraising #VentureCapital

????Unusual Fundraising Tips for Founders???? Securing a VC call is just the start—how you pitch is what matters most. Here are key, non-obvious lessons to sharpen your pitch: ?? Use precise numbers – Say \"Our revenue grew 30% last month,\" not \"We're growing fast.\" ?? Engage physically – Move around, use gestures, and point to key slides. ?? Leverage visuals – A strong diagram speaks louder than words. ?? Arrive early – Set up, test tech, and show professionalism. ?? Position wisely – Stand near investors and the screen for better engagement. ?? Show passion – Let your energy reinforce your commitment. ?? Take notes – Shows engagement and helps with follow-ups. ?? Only bring strong presenters – Weak ones can hurt your pitch. ?? Customize for each investor – Tailor slides to their interests. ?? Talk less, listen more – Keep pitches under 10 minutes and encourage discussion. ?? Focus on learning, not closing – Treat meetings as feedback opportunities. ?? Refine constantly – Adapt based on investor reactions. Master these, and your pitch will stand out! ... \#startups \#vc \#startuptips \#founders \#investors \#founder \#investor \#venturecapital \#angelinvestors

A common mistake founders make is listing their valuation on a slide before securing a lead investor. You limit negotiation flexibility if you put “Raising $5M at a $20M valuation” too early. Your funding need is fixed-ish, but valuation is fluid—let investors compete for it. ? Best case? Multiple investors are bidding to invest for the privilege of investing in you. ? Worst case? You scare off investors who see the valuation as too high or too low. Exception: If you have a lead investor, include them and their terms: ?? \"Raising $5M at a $20M valuation, with Investor X committed for $3M.\" Other \"Ask Slide\" Mistakes to Avoid: ?? Forgetting the slide altogether ?? Not specifying how much you're raising ?? Failing to outline fund usage ?? Listing a fixed runway \(e.g., \"This funds 18-24 months\"\) Bottom line: Keep your valuation off the deck until you have a lead investor and let the market decide. ?? ... \#startups \#vc \#startuptips \#founders \#investors \#founder \#investor \#venturecapital \#angelinvestors

If you are struggling to raise funds for your startup, I strongly suggest writing a monthly/bi-weekly update on all the progress you are making on the business. Here are seven things you should include in the email. This works for two reasons: → Investors invest in the trajectory of companies & people. It's impossible to get a trajectory without watching a narrative unfold with time. → If you do what you say you are going to do, and document it, this puts you in the top 5% of founders.