Oana Coșman
Understanding the complexities of the market in which they operate, developing compelling business plans, and employing the right tactics at the right time are among the common characteristics shared by the 100 startups that have successfully raised funds on SeedBlink, the investment and equity management platform for European tech startups, since 2020.
These findings emerged from SeedBlink's collaboration with over 6,000 startups and are pre-sented in "Fundraising Lessons Learned from +100 Rounds Raised on SeedBlink”, a best practice report released today in collaboration with growth marketing agency Promocrat to assist entrepreneurs in attracting effective funding in Europe.
In this educational initiative to enlighten founders and get startups ready for investment, SeedBlink has partnered with Promocrat, a company that Alexandru Gavril founded in 2013 and has distinguished itself over the years as a marketing agency focused on startup growth.
This collaboration will provide founders with a wide range of free and valuable materials on topics such as financing, employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs), marketing and strengthening transparent relationships between founders and investors.
50 tested recommendations for startups to attract investment
"Fundraising Lessons Learned from +100 Rounds Raised on SeedBlink" contains over 50 recommendations and best practises for entrepreneurs seeking financing.
The recommendations are based on SeedBlink experience with over 6,000 businesses, namely the 2.1% (about 120 companies) who were selected for funding on SeedBlink. Approximately 85% of these selected companies (107 companies) met their fundraising goals.
"We have witnessed the dreams, strategies and challenges of over 6,000 startups. But what do the 2% who succeeded in their funding rounds through our platform have in common? This journey has revealed an actionable pattern that defines fundraising success. From initial launch to round completion, it's about understanding the nuances of the market, developing a solid business plan and using the right tactics at the right time. In this comprehensive guide, we're not just sharing stories. We give founders a clear roadmap. These tried and tested tips can turn an entrepreneur's fundraising strategy from hope to investment magnet”, said Carmen Sebe, CEO of SeedBlink.
The report covers essential topics for both new and experienced entrepreneurs. It begins with "The Fundamentals of a Top Business", which serves as a solid foundation.
The next chapter deciphers "What investors want", giving readers an insight into the needs of investors. The third chapter focuses on the "Financing Arsenal" which ensures that startups present themselves to investors with well-structured materials that include crucial aspects about the company's positioning and traction, as well as its industry know-how.
"Rock Your Marketing" is the fourth chapter and emphasizes the importance of effective marketing methods. Finally, "Post-Funding Best Practices" outlines the factors that help startups maintain growth momentum and prosper after receiving funding.
SeedBlink has co-invested in more than 100 technology startups from over 15 countries alongside a network of 75,000 investors (business angels, VCs and strategic partners) from 92 countries, according to the report. As a result, the company has raised €250 million for technology startups.
"Europe is capable of a renaissance through technology. Disseminating the knowledge we have gained at SeedBlink is becoming essential for us to step forward and compete with global players. Our past experiences, successes and failures alike, have taught us principles that can help entrepreneurs boldly accelerate growth. Nimity, our equity management solution, and our growing educational entrepreneurship arm with Promocrat are part of this commitment”, said Andrei Dudoiu, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of SeedBlink.
"As both supply and demand for investment have increased, fundraising has become more strategic. In this new landscape, it's great to see startups choosing the crowdfunding route - it takes a certain kind of mindset, a strong founding team, and tactical planning to conquer this dance floor. This is community-driven growth, and the best part - attracting funding - is now less like a tango and more like a festival”, said Alexandru Gavril, founder & CEO of Promocrat.
