1️⃣ This blockchain firm’s pitch deck got it US$12.5 million in funding

Stader Labs is a non-custodial, smart contract-based cryptocurrency staking platform that helps retail and institutional investors discover and access staking solutions. It used this pitch deck for its strategic funding round last January. The deck states the company’s vision and key performance figures at the start, following it up with its founders’ profiles and a list of its backers. It also highlights background problems in staking and how its service addresses those pain points.
 

2️⃣ The deck that helped a Singapore co-living startup raise US$740,000

Bespoke Habitat, a Singapore-based co-living and property management startup, provides spaces where clients can live, work, and play. It used this pitch deck to raise its seed round from undisclosed angel investors this year. The deck provides an overview of the company and introduces its team, going on to highlight the solutions that Bespoke Habitat offers. It also shares the startup’s unique selling point and business model.
 

3️⃣ An ex-Morgan Stanley exec used this pitch deck to raise US$2 million

Zoe Financial is a wealth management platform that curates a network of independent, commission-free fiduciary financial advisors and planners without any intermediaries. The startup - founded by former Morgan Stanley employee Andres Garcia-Amaya - used this pitch deck to raise US$2 million in seed money in 2018. The deck introduces the company before moving on to funding details. It also shares information about Zoe’s market size, its business model, milestones, roadmap for the future, and its competitors.

1️⃣ The impact of geopolitical risk on innovation

Rising levels of geopolitical risk can stifle private sector innovation, especially for companies with enough exposure to foreign markets. This Harvard Business Review piece offers some strategies to help companies minimize that impact.
 

2️⃣ An inside look at how early-stage venture investments happen

First-time founders can find it difficult to picture the investment process at VC firms after they make their pitch. Balderton Capital partner Suranga Chandratillake demystifies that process in this blog post to help founders pitch better.
 

3️⃣ Becoming more than just a VC

Aspiring VC Sterling Schuyler has decided that she actually doesn’t want to be a VC anymore - she wants to be something better. Read her thoughts on the matter and her plans to achieve that goal in this blog post.
 

4️⃣ Biotech founders are flocking to tech VCs for funds at their riskiest stage

Biotech founders seeking funding are often asked to give up control of their startups when they try to raise their seed rounds. That’s why many are now turning to tech VCs, who are more open to backing founder-CEOs and willing to take less equity. Read more in this Insider article.
 

5️⃣ Cold emails: The secret path to VC money

Two-time founder and now Google product manager Zev Lapin has raised over US$500,000 in VC money via cold emails. He details the many ways budding entrepreneurs can write the emails for the people they want to pitch to in this Tweet thread.

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