I was at an event the Gotham Gal had last night for her portfolio. I was asked a number of times “when is the best time to raise money?”. In general, I believe the best time to take money is when it is being offered. To some extent, VCs are gas stations and you should fill up when it is convenient.
I don’t drive that often, and when I do mostly drive electric cars, so gas stations are not a common place for me. But when I do drive a gas powered car, I tend to fill up my car when it gets below half a tank and I use stations I like and are convenient for me.
I think this analogy works to a point for VC fundraising. You should raise money when you still have a fair bit of cash in the bank. Driving around on fumes frantically trying to find a gas station is not a great idea. Raising a round when you have a month of cash left isn’t either.
I don’t shop around for and drive out of my way to the best priced gas station. I am happy to fill up at a fair price at a place that I like and is convenient to me. I would apply the same rule to raising money. Don’t shop for the very best deal, particularly if it means an elongated fundraising process and time away from the business. If a fair deal is being offered by a firm you like and trust, shake hands, close the deal, and get back to the business.
The place the gas station analogy breaks down is that for the most part the gas is same from gas station to gas station. That’s not true with VCs. You can buy really bad gas and you can buy really good gas from VCs. Some VCs can kill your company. Some VCs can propel your business forward. And some VCs will leave you alone.
So choose your gas wisely when shopping for the VC variety. And fill up when you’ve got a half tank and you are passing by one of your favorite stations.
