Many founders mistakenly believe that fundraising is about more than just raising money to build a successful company, which can lead to misalignment with investor expectations.

Many founders mistakenly believe their fundraising experience will mirror that of others based on anecdotal evidence, leading to unrealistic expectations about their own fundraising efforts.

Founders often psych themselves out by worrying about competitors, especially when they see a competitor raise significant funding, leading them to feel like they are failing.

Founders often mistakenly believe that the reasons investors provide for rejection are the actual problems with their startup, rather than considering other potential issues.

Many founders extend their magical thinking to believe that funding comes from luck rather than understanding how the world truly works. They often think that if others got funded through luck, they can too, without studying the actual processes involved.

Young founders often prioritize what investors want over solving problems they genuinely care about, which can hinder their potential.

When founders receive wrong advice, they create a flawed mental model of the startup world, making it harder for them to unlearn those misconceptions later.

Founders often mistakenly believe that spending more money will help them achieve product-market fit faster, leading to frustration and distraction from their core objectives.

The perception that everyone else is successfully raising funds creates a warped reality, making founders feel isolated in their struggles.