In fundraising, it's important to do your homework on potential investors, including their past investments and interests, to position yourself advantageously.

For tiny startups, investors may not fund them anyway, so it's important to say what they want to hear to capture their interest for future opportunities.

Find the right investors by doing research and talking to other founders; organizations like Y Combinator can be very helpful in this process.

Due diligence and reference checks on investors are crucial yet often overlooked aspects of fundraising that can significantly impact the success of a startup's investor relationships.

As investors, we need to move fast and assess if founders are also moving quickly; asking about their recent accomplishments can provide insight.

When seeking investors, it's crucial to find those who deeply understand your business and can provide valuable insights.

Every interaction with potential investors is a sales process; it's crucial to understand their motivations and what will make them feel they need to work with you.

Investors want to understand how your situation fits into the broader strategy of your company. They won't just give you money because of a market event; you need to be organized and clear about your value proposition.

A good investor will listen to your pitch and envision the potential success of your startup, rather than just poking holes in your idea.