Early-Stage Fundraising: Advice from True Ventures

True Ventures managing partner Punit Agarwal discusses how early-stage founders can navigate fundraising in 2026. The conversation covers investor fit, pitch meetings, diligence, term sheets, and balancing fundraising with company building, with examples from the firm’s experience.

■ Finding and evaluating investors
- Market conditions, founder signals, networking, and preparing for an initial meeting
- Due diligence, partner decision-making, and choosing investors for a long-term relationship
■ Fundraising decisions and practical next steps
- Term-sheet considerations, round sizing, SAFE notes, and venture-capital trade-offs
- Q&A on traction, scientific ventures, market focus, and using a Startup Battlefield appearance

For founders preparing to raise, especially at the pre-seed or seed stage, this discussion offers questions to ask investors and factors to consider when planning a raise. Use it to identify relevant investors, build relationships, and weigh funding terms against your company’s goals.