In this episode, Brianna McDonald, an experienced early-stage investor, shares key insights from her two-decade journey in the startup world, emphasizing the significance of a well-crafted capitalization strategy for founders. Brianna discusses the importance of not falling in love with the product alone, instead focusing on the executive team's execution and the market potential.

She highlights the misconceptions around fundraising, urging founders to view it as selling pieces of their companies, and stresses the necessity of understanding cap table management from day one.

She also covers the current challenges in the investing landscape, the impact of economic shifts on startup funding, and the critical need for thorough market research and relationship building with potential investors.

Key takeaways from the episode include:

• Why capitalization strategy matters for founders more than ever in the post Silicon Valley Bank era
• How to use market research to create credible go-to-market strategies and believable financial projections
• How to cultivate genuine relationships with investors for successful fundraising and support 
• Why managing and understanding the cap table from day one is key to minimizing dilution and maintaining control 
• What to watch out for before raising on "cheap" vehicles like SAFE notes
• How to target the right investors based on your company’s growth trajectory.
• Why the math matters - on your cap table, your valuation and your deal, and how it can make or break your company
• How to build a solid plan for your startup so your company, your investors and you come out ahead