How much money should I raise at seed, and how much equity do I give up?
The short answer
Raise enough to hit a meaningful milestone with buffer, typically 18-24 months of runway, and plan to sell roughly 10-20% of the company at seed. Don't optimize for the biggest number or the highest valuation; optimize for enough capital at terms that leave room for future rounds. Over-raising at a crazy valuation just sets a trap for your Series A.
Go deeper, your way
3 hand-picked resources, 3 link-checked. Pick how you want to dig in.
🎧 Podcast
✓ Link checkedIndiaFreeIntermediate
Why we picked it
A leading early-stage Indian VC firm answering the questions founders wish they could ask a VC face-to-face, including how they pick startups and why pitch decks fail. Direct from the people writing the cheques in India.
Why we picked it
The most quoted essay on the mechanics of fundraising, distilled from YC Demo Day advice. It reframes fundraising as a sales process with clear rules that still hold up years later.
Why we picked it
100X.VC pioneered the iSAFE, India's answer to the US SAFE, and offers the standardized document plus a plain explanation. Indispensable for any Indian founder raising their first cheques the local way.
