Bio:
Chris Tottman is a General Partner at Notion Capital, London.
Curated Insights from Chris:
Fundraising Formula
Dear first-time founders: stop fundraising like it’s 2019.
The best early-stage rounds in the past year followed a new playbook. Here’s a tighter, proven formula that actually works:
1. Build the Pipeline Early
Start investor updates months ahead
Send regular growth updates
Quietly build interest before the raise
2. Compress Meetings
Take all investor calls in 1–2 weeks
Avoid open-ended scheduling
Create urgency through limited windows
3. Engineer FOMO
Set a clear deadline (and stick to it)
Keep the timeline short and real
Scarcity makes people move
4. Use Social Proof
Secure respected names first
Share committed investors (with permission)
“X is already in” goes a long way
5. Keep Terms Simple
Stick to standard SAFEs
No messy side letters
Complexity kills deals
6. Streamline Materials
One-pager > long deck
Real traction > lofty vision
Make it scannable and sharp
7. Time Your PR
Don’t announce the round right away
Save it for 6+ months later
Use old wins to attract new money
“Fundraising is psychology, not math. Speed and scarcity beat perfect metrics.”
Fundraising Tips for First time Founders in 2025: Read Full Post Here