Trace Cohen(@Trace_Cohen):The best time to raise money is when you don’t need it. Founders often wait until they have six months of runway left and then suddenly fundraising becomes the most important thing in the company. That’s when investors have all the leverage. If the company is growing, you have cash in the bank and you can genuinely say “we don’t need to raise,” the conversation is completely different. You can walk away from bad terms. You can wait for the right investor. You can decide not to raise at all. Fundraising from desperation is expensive. Fundraising from strength gives you options.

2026.09.19 12:16

The best time to raise money is when you don’t need it. Founders often wait until they have six months of runway left and then suddenly fundraising becomes the most important thing in the company. That’s when investors have all the leverage. If the company is growing, you have cash in the bank and you can genuinely say “we don’t need to raise,” the conversation is completely different. You can walk away from bad terms. You can wait for the right investor. You can decide not to raise at all. Fundraising from desperation is expensive. Fundraising from strength gives you options.