Startup Basics

You’re a founder. You’ve got a real product, maybe some early traction, and investors are starting to show interest. That’s exciting—but now you’re staring down a bunch of terms you’ve never had to worry about before: SAFEs, convertible notes, equity. Everyone’s got an opinion. Some say SAFEs are faster. Others warn about giving away too […]

Day Zero isn’t when you launch. It’s not when you raise. It’s not even when you write your first line of code. Day Zero is when you decide this idea matters—and you’re going to build around it like it’s a real company. That moment comes fast. And it matters more than people think. Because what

You’ve built the tech. You know the problem better than anyone. You’re the one who stayed up late, writing code while others chased pitch decks. But now, you need to do both. Because building something brilliant isn’t always enough. Investors don’t just fund products. They fund leaders. And that shift—from technical founder to fundable CEO—is

You don’t raise on features. You raise on vision. Not just a big idea—but a belief that feels grounded. Sharp. Unshakable. Something a smart investor hears and thinks, this is where the world is going. The best founders know this. They shape their vision early. They test it. Stress it. Sharpen it until it’s not

Most startups don’t get a “no” from investors because the idea is bad. They get passed over because something feels off—something unspoken. A quiet red flag that makes people pause. The problem? Founders don’t always see it. You might think you’re pitching well. Showing traction. Talking about your vision. But if something’s missing—or messy—investors pick

If you’re reading this, chances are you’re not trying to raise just yet. You’re still early. Still building. Still figuring things out before the big checks come in. That’s smart. Because raising too early can hurt more than it helps. Especially if you haven’t yet proven what matters, or protected what’s valuable. At Tran.vc, we

Raising a round is just the start. Once the money lands, the real work begins—and so does the quiet judgment. Your first 100 days after a fundraise set the tone for everything that follows. Investors are watching. Not just for results, but for rhythm. For decisions. For the way you move. They don’t expect you

In the early days, people don’t invest in your product. They invest in your story. They back your edge, your insight, your energy. That’s why brand matters—especially before revenue. Not logos. Not fonts. But brand as trust. Brand as clarity. Brand as something investors want to say yes to, even when the tech is raw.

Raising money for a deep tech startup is different. It’s not about shiny demos or big market promises. It’s about clarity. About showing that you’re not just building something smart—you’re building something real, something defensible, and something that can scale. That means your positioning has to work harder. It has to cut through the noise.

The hardest time to fundraise is when you’re standing still. Momentum changes everything. It makes you feel real—even if you’re early. It draws people in. It opens doors before you even ask. But here’s the thing: momentum isn’t magic. It’s not about press. It’s not about followers. It’s about motion—stacked step by step before your