Not all startups should chase VC money. Some should bootstrap, others should take on debt, and a few are primed for private equity. So how do you know which path is right for you?

In this episode,Jason Kirby breaks down theFundraising Quadrants—a framework that helps founders identify where they stand in their startup journey and what type of capital makes the most sense for them. Whether you’re running an AI startup, a SaaS company, or a growing e-commerce brand, this episode will help you avoid common fundraising mistakes and focus on strategies that align with your vision.

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Raising capital?

Get a list of vetted VCs for FREE here:https://web.thunder.vc/list-of-investors-vcs-for-founders?utm_source=Youtube&utm_medium=Video&utm_campaign=Episode73&utm_id=FundraisingDemystifiedPodcast

Get the latest fundraising insights, news, and tips:https://blog.thunder.vc/funding-101?utm_source=Youtube&utm_medium=Video&utm_campaign=Episode73&utm_id=FundraisingDemystifiedPodcast

Here’s what you’ll find in this episode:

00:00 Introduction to Fundraising Quadrants

00:32 Speaker's Background and Expertise

01:15 TheNorth Star framework: What do you really want to achieve?

03:42 What are the Fundraising Quadrants? Find out where you stand

05:29 Breaking down the quadrants: Early Growth, Established Growth, Strong but Slow,

Struggling

06:47 Venture Capital: When and how to attract investors (and when to avoid them!)

09:09 Debt Financing: Leveraging assets, revenue, and strategic borrowing

12:20 Private Equity: What PE firms look for & how to position your startup

15:16 Planning Your Exit: M&A, acquisitions, and strategic partnerships

18:24 The Big Question:Should you use investor money or bootstrap?

18:44 HowThunder VC helps founders navigate fundraising

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ABOUT JASON

Jason Kirby is the co-founder of Thunder VC. He is a serial entrepreneur with 4 multi-million exits and decades of experience in fundraising and business building. He has coached hundreds of entrepreneurs in his career on fundraising, investing, capital strategy, and business development.

You can reach out to Jason through:

Email: jason@thunder.vc

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonrkirby/

ABOUT FUNDRAISING DEMYSTIFIED

Our goal is simple: to equip you with the knowledge, inspiration, and guidance to navigate the labyrinthine world of fundraising. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur seeking seed funding or an established founder looking to scale your business, this podcast will provide you with the tools you need to conquer the fundraising landscape.

Thank you for being a loyal subscriber to Fundraising Demystified. We appreciate your support and are excited to continue bringing you more inspiring stories from successful founders.