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Funding Lab Q1 2020

At the Founder Institute, you won't "learn" how to build a business. Rather, you will build your business alongside top startup experts using a proven, structured process that has helped some of the world's fastest growing companies raise over $1.75BN. 

Our core program includes a series of challenging growth sprints, in addition to Weekly Feedback Sessions where you will receive constant feedback on your progress from experienced Mentors and Investors. 

See the schedule for the Funding Lab Q1 2020 program below.

The Final Application Deadline for the Funding Lab Q1 2020 program is Jan 15, 2020, and you can apply to the program at FI.co/join.

Week 1 - Set-up

Date: Jan 18, 2020
Starts at: 09:30 pm (America/New_York)

This week, we will begin to set up your fundraising process and materials including your pitch deck and your investor target list. We will also place you in a working group with other founders so that you can receive feedback and support. The team at FI HQ will be hosting group office hours to discuss the next 3 months and to answer any questions that come up.


Week 2 - Pitch Deck

Date: Jan 22, 2020
Starts at: 09:30 pm (America/New_York)

The team at FI HQ along with your working group members will begin to provide you with detailed feedback on your pitch deck and on your target list. You will hold and set up practice pitches, expand your target list and will improve your deck. In addition, you will engage with your existing equity holders, to make sure you have their support during your fundraising.

Week 3 - Data Room

Date: Jan 29, 2020
Starts at: 09:30 pm (America/New_York)

This week you will refine all of your fundraising materials and you will begin to compile your data room. The team at FI HQ will help you improve your investor targeting, help you strategize the correct funding amount your growth metrics.

Week 4 - Refinement

Date: Feb 05, 2020
Starts at: 09:30 pm (America/New_York)

This week, you will start to engage with members of the FI network such as FI Network Leaders, Mentors and Graduate founders to procure introductions to investors on your target list. You will also develop investor outreach email templates that will be reviewed by the team at FI HQ.

Week 5 - Progress Review

Date: Feb 12, 2020
Starts at: 09:30 pm (America/New_York)

This week, you will aggressively procure introductions to Investors on your target list. The team at FI HQ will provide you with feedback on your outreach communication and tactics via 1:1 office hours.


Week 6 - Soft Launch

Date: Feb 19, 2020
Starts at: 09:30 pm (America/New_York)

At this juncture, fundraising will have to become your number one priority in the business for you to succeed at this task. The team at FI HQ as well as your advisors will review your current fundraising progress and suggest improvements. We will also prep you for various investor questions that come up. 

Week 7 - Pitch Blitz (F.K.A. Official Launch)

Date: Feb 26, 2020
Starts at: 09:30 pm (America/New_York)

This week, you will be spending the majority of your time meeting with investors and engaging the FI network to expand your pipeline.


Week 8 - Iterate

Date: Mar 04, 2020
Starts at: 09:30 pm (America/New_York)

This week you will continue meeting with investors and you will be aggressively procuring new introductions. We will review the feedback that you have been receiving from investors to help you to improve your pitch, materials and your outreach strategy.


Week 9 - Closing Date & Term Sheet

Date: Mar 11, 2020
Starts at: 09:30 pm (America/New_York)

This week, you will see if you are ready to set a closing date, to push investors towards giving you money. You will also begin to negotiate the terms of your round with interested investors. The team at FI HQ will advise you on your investor negotiations and will provide you with detailed feedback on your terms sheets.

Week 10 - Final Push On New Investors

Date: Mar 18, 2020
Starts at: 09:30 pm (America/New_York)

This week you will go all out to continue to add the last new people to your round, to fill the round.

Week 11 - Final Investor Push

Date: Mar 25, 2020
Starts at: 09:30 pm (America/New_York)

This week, you will focus on driving your interested investors to a close, since it is hard to get new investors to close within a week. The team at FI HQ will provide you with tailored advice for your specific situation.


Week 12 - Final Close

Date: Apr 01, 2020
Starts at: 09:30 pm (America/New_York)

This week you will push interested investors to wire the funds and either do a Final Close on the round, or do an Interim Close and use this momentum to convince new investors to engage for the Final Close. From this point on the team at FI HQ will provide you with 1 on 1 assistance until you do a Final Close on your round.

Post Program Resources

The 4 month Core-Program is just the beginning. We have developed extensive support programs and resources for our Alumni that far exceed any other comparable startup program.

Continued Support

FI Alumni
  • Dedicated Alumni Support Team in Silicon Valley
  • Access to the world's largest network of mentors and investors (35,000+)
  • Private Alumni mailing lists
  • $2M+ in partner discounts
  • Invites to FI sessions & network events
  • Potentail introductions to investors

Post-Programs

Founder Lab
  • A series of virtual advisory programs where you work with our Silicon Valley HQ team to reach next milestones
  • Funding Lab helps get your lead investor within 6 months
  • P/M Fit Lab (2023) helps you get to Product Market Fit
  • FI Venture Network helps you get intros to investors
  • 100% customized and FREE for Alumni