Seed to Series A, Good Pitch Decks & Network Building – Jon Dishotsky, Giant Ventures

About this episode

Jon Dishotsky knows both sides of the fundraising game: As a founder, he raised over $50 million from top investors like Y Combinator and Index Ventures, and today he works as an investor at Giant Ventures. This unique perspective makes his insights particularly valuable for founders looking to master the journey from Seed to Series A.

From Founder to Investor: Key Learnings

The transition from founder to investor has opened new perspectives for Dishotsky. One of the most important insights: founders must actively manage their investors and continuously build relationships after a funding round. Many underestimate how crucial this long-term relationship maintenance is for success.

Context is King: Asking for Help the Right Way

A central point in Dishotsky's experience is the importance of context. When founders ask someone for help – whether for introductions or advice – they should always provide the complete context. Who, what, why, and how this information will be used. A trustworthy network of like-minded people plays a crucial role here, as these people are more willing to help when they understand the background.

The Convincing Pitch Deck: More Than Just Pretty Slides

A good pitch deck isn't about perfect graphics or endless details. What matters is that it conveys the vision and motivation of the founding team. Particularly with the competition slide, founders should position their company cleanly against competitors without using meaningless slides. The art lies in showing why your own company should be perceived as a motivated and convincing competitor.

The Spark of Conviction

Investors look for that one moment when they catch the spark of motivation and vision and can no longer say no. Founders must learn to present themselves and their company in a way that creates this emotional connection. It's not just about numbers and facts, but about the story behind them.

The Uncomfortable Tasks Between Seed and Series A

The path from Seed round to Series A brings many uncomfortable tasks. Not everything runs like a fairy tale, and founders must learn to deal with setbacks and challenges. It becomes particularly difficult when they have to explain to Series A investors that not everything went optimally during the Seed phase.

Series A: Still the Logical Next Step?

An important question arises: Is Series A still the logical consequence after Pre-Seed and Seed? Dishotsky observes that many companies may have received Series A funding too quickly in recent years. This development requires a critical examination of one's own fundraising strategy.

The Balance Between Confidence and Reflection

One of the most difficult challenges for founders is finding the right balance: Where is the line between "I'm too convinced of myself and my product" and "I'm too reflective and doubt too much"? Maintaining this balance is crucial for long-term success.

Conclusion: Fundraising as Marathon, Not Sprint

Dishotsky's experiences show: successful fundraising processes require strategic thinking, continuous relationship building, and the ability to act both confidently and reflectively. Founders who take these lessons to heart have better chances of successfully mastering the often rocky path from Seed to Series A.

The combination of practical experience as a founder and insights as an investor makes Dishotsky's perspective particularly valuable for anyone who needs to navigate the startup world.