Before pitching, get your metrics right.
VCs look past the pitch deck straight to the numbers. You'll learn which metrics matter most (unit economics show if your model works, growth rates show traction, burn rate shows runway), how to present them without lying, what a term sheet actually means, and why cap tables and dilution matter more than the headline valuation. You'll understand LTV:CAC ratio (lifetime value to customer acquisition cost — is your business profitable at scale?), why a VC cares about your "magic number" (how much revenue growth per dollar spent), and how to recognize a term sheet that's actually fair.
A term sheet outlines the key terms of an investment before legal documents are drafted. Learn what to expect and what to negotiate.
5 min read · Intermediate
A shareholders agreement is a private contract between the owners of a company that governs how the business is run, how decisions are made, and what happens when shareholders want to leave.
5 min read · Beginner
The LTV:CAC ratio compares how much a customer is worth over their lifetime to how much it cost to acquire them. It is the fundamental measure of whether your business model works.
5 min read · Intermediate
Burn rate forecasting projects how quickly your business consumes cash each month and how many months of runway remain, so you can act before funds run out.
5 min read · Beginner
Revenue forecasting estimates future income based on historical data and pipeline analysis, helping SMEs plan spending and avoid cash shortfalls.
5 min read · Beginner
Scenario planning prepares your business for multiple possible futures — not just one expected outcome. It is the tool that separates businesses that survive shocks from those that are blindsided by them.
5 min read · Intermediate
EBITDA forecasting projects your operating earnings before interest, tax, and non-cash charges — the metric investors and lenders focus on when valuing your business.
6 min read · Intermediate
Market sizing estimates the total revenue opportunity available in your market. It is essential for business planning, fundraising, and deciding where to focus your growth effort.
5 min read · Beginner
Product-market fit means your product satisfies strong market demand. Learn how to recognise it, measure it, and achieve it.
5 min read · Intermediate
A cap table tracks who owns what in a company. Learn why it matters and how to maintain one properly from day one.
4 min read · Beginner
Dilution occurs when new shares are issued, reducing existing shareholders' ownership percentage. Learn how it works and how to manage it.
4 min read · Intermediate
A convertible note is a short-term loan that converts into equity at a future funding round. Learn the mechanics, terms, and when to use one.
4 min read · Intermediate
Follow this learning path to master raising investment: the numbers vcs actually care about.
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