To Communicate or Not to Communicate, That is the Question.

So, you've decided to take the plunge into the exhilarating yet often treacherous world of pre-seed fundraising for your startup. Buckle up, my friend, because you're in for a ride! One thing I've learned along this rollercoaster journey is that communication is your compass, guiding you through the twists and turns, highs and lows.

Now, when we think of stakeholders in this adventure, the usual suspects come to mind: co-founders, potential investors, maybe even those early employees if you're lucky enough to have them. But here's the kicker – there's another group that often flies under the radar: family and friends.

Sure, they might not have a direct financial stake in your venture, but make no mistake – they're invested. They're your personal cheerleaders, rooting for your success with every fiber of their being. And let me tell you, they're hungry for updates. They want to know how it's going, who you've been talking to, and when they can expect to see your face plastered on the cover of Forbes.

But here's the thing – as much as you love them, you can't treat your family and friends the same way you treat your co-founders and potential investors. It's like trying to mix oil and water – it just doesn't work. Trust me; I've learned this the hard way.

In the early days, it's easy to keep everyone in the loop. You're excited, they're excited – it's a match made in heaven. But as the process drags on (and trust me, it will), the constant updates become a double-edged sword. Suddenly, you find yourself drowning in a sea of emails, texts, and phone calls, all demanding your attention.

And let's not forget the nature of the beast – fundraising is a fickle game. One minute you're riding high on a wave of optimism, and the next, you're crashing down to earth with a resounding thud. It's exhausting, both physically and emotionally.

So, what's the solution? Well, my friend, it all comes down to boundaries – setting them, respecting them, and most importantly, sticking to them. Sure, you want to keep everyone in the loop, but you also need to be mindful of your own sanity.

That means being selective about what you share and when you share it. It means knowing when to celebrate the victories and when to lick your wounds in private. And most importantly, it means recognising that sometimes, the best thing you can do is take a step back, breathe, and remember why you started this crazy journey in the first place.

So, to all my fellow pre-seed founders out there, I leave you with this – communicate early, communicate often, but above all, communicate wisely. Your sanity (and your startup) will thank you for it in the long run.