Founder Unfriendly

Bol

Founder Unfriendly gives you the mindset, tactics, and trust-building tools to raise smarter, tell a sharper story, and stop feeling like the game is rigged. Fundraising is not always fair, but it is winnable. PRAISE FOR FOUNDER UNFRIENDLY “Founder Unfriendly comes from someone who deeply cares about founder communities and their long-term health. Charlie brings clarity and realism to a process that too often feels opaque.” —BRAD FELD, author of Venture Deals “Founder Unfriendly is exactly what the startup world needs: honesty without cynicism. Charlie O’Donnell tells founders the truth about venture capital—not to discourage them, but to help them make conscious choices about what they’re signing up for. It’s practical, funny, and thankfully clear. If you’re thinking about raising money, if you’re even considering being an entrepreneur, read this before you pitch anyone…especially before you pitch yourself on your idea.” —JERRY COLONNA, CEO and Co-Founder of Reboot, author of Reboot and Reunion “At Ten Little, we think a lot about first steps because the earliest choices shape everything that follows. Building a company is no different. As one of our earliest investors, I’ve known Charlie to cut through industry noise and provide clear, honest guidance, helping founders stay grounded in building something real and enduring.” —FATMA COLLINS, Co-Founder and CEO, Ten Little “I’ve raised $20 million dollars, beat cancer, raised kids and could write a book about how hard all of this is, but I trust that Charlie will be honest enough with you that I don’t have to and I can keep building my company.” —VANESSA RISSETTO, Co-Founder of Culina Health A strategy guide for founders who want to understand—and influence—the behavior of venture capitalists and investors so they can get their companies funded In Founder Unfriendly, 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. The book skips the endless clichés about “successful founder traits” and recycled startup wisdom and gets right to the heart of why real VCs in the real world fund real companies with real money. It 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 founders trying to get the lay of the VC land, Founder Unfriendly is also a must-read for seasoned entrepreneurs 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.

Amazon

Pages: 272, Edition: 1, Hardcover, Wiley