Ex-YC founder Diego Rojas (Shieldbase AI) shares fundraising lessons across YC and post-YC rounds, including what worked in investor conversations for an AI startup and what he'd do differently.
Bridges YC-insider tactics with the current AI fundraising environment from a founder who lived both.
This video was created by The Mini CEO and features Diego Rojas. We summarize and link with attribution; all rights belong to the creator.
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Canva co-founder Melanie Perkins recounts pitching for three years and being rejected by more than 100 investors before closing Canva's first round, including how she reworked the pitch around each objection. She details the kitesurfing-with-investors period in Silicon Valley and how rejection shaped the company's strategy.
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YC partner Brad Flora's Startup School talk on how startup fundraising actually works: what investors are looking for, how rounds come together, SAFEs, and how to run a tight process. Draws on YC batch data and his own founder experience.
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Hustle Fund GP Elizabeth Yin takes live pitches from real founders and gives unfiltered feedback in real time, explaining her actual investment thought process as she reacts to each pitch.