Funder Signals

Trends and patterns in the funding landscape.

Apr 7, 2026 5 min

The Backchannel: How VCs Talk to Each Other About You

Investors reference-check founders through their network before, during, and after your pitch. Here is how to manage it.

Apr 3, 2026 5 min

You got the second meeting. The process was real. Here is where it falls apart.

Apr 1, 2026 4 min

The rejection phrases investors use and what they are really saying.

Mar 31, 2026 4 min

Most founders follow up wrong. Here is what moves investors from maybe to yes.

Mar 30, 2026 4 min

The reference calls that make or break your deal. And how to prepare for them.

Mar 27, 2026 4 min

Sometimes the best fundraising decision is to wait.

Mar 25, 2026 5 min

Investors aren't being malicious. They're just optimizing for information asymmetry.

Mar 20, 2026 9 min

Founders optimize for the wrong room. The decision happens before you arrive and after you leave.

Mar 18, 2026 4 min

The translation guide for soft passes. Learn to read between the lines and know when to move on.

Mar 17, 2026 5 min

A peek inside the partner meeting. The three questions that determine your fate.

Mar 17, 2026 12 min

Everything founders need to know about raising Series A in 2026: benchmarks, timelines, metrics, and the mistakes that kill deals.

Mar 16, 2026 6 min

Real data from 47 Series A closes in Q4 2025 and Q1 2026. What actually got funded, and at what terms.

Mar 15, 2026 2 min

Pro-rata rights are back on the table. Here's what's actually changing.

Mar 15, 2026 7 min

VCs will ask for 50 metrics. Only 7 actually drive the investment decision. Here's what they are and how to present them.

Mar 14, 2026 5 min

A realistic week-by-week breakdown of the Series A process, from first meeting to wire.