Timing
Your “why now” should be obvious. Market shifts, regulatory changes, or emerging trends can make your startup fundable—but only if you can articulate them clearly. Raise capital at a time when it is evident to investors why you need it today, not tomorrow or yesterday.

Cap Table
Messy equity kills deals faster than an empty pipeline. Multiple co-founders, advisors with undefined roles, and a lack of transparent decision-making structure can make investors nervous. Sort it before term sheets land.

Customers
Investors want proof, not projections. Even a handful of paying users is far more persuasive than an abstract billion-dollar market estimate. Real traction beats theory every time.

Equity
Ensure that you have clear equity agreements, ideally with well-defined vesting schedules for all co-founders, employees, and advisors. You need to have incentives for everyone to stay on past the round and contribute; no dead equity on your team.

Legal and IP
Clean data rooms signal professionalism. Make sure IP assignments, vendor contracts, and early SAFE agreements are in place. Investors notice what’s missing far more than what’s present.