As we look ahead to 2026, the data from our latest global founder survey makes one thing clear: the ‘spray and pray’ approach to fundraising is dead. Successful founders this year will not only be the ones with the best ideas, but also the ones with the most discipline.
To help you navigate the year ahead, we’ve turned key findings from more than 1,000 global startups into six essential New Year’s resolutions. Backed by the hard figures, here’s how you can transform your investment journey in the new year.
1. Do your due diligence on investors
The data from our research shows that even though founders spend hundreds of hours pitching, they are surprisingly lax in vetting the people they ask for money.
- 43% of US founders and 37% of UK founders admit they do no or only cursory research on potential investors before a meeting.
- Only 30% of U.S. founders conduct “serious” due diligence, such as checking references on an investor’s existing portfolio companies.
The takeaway: Stop with the ‘spray and pray’ pitch. In 2026, investors are looking for relevant experience and connection to the sector. Vetting an investor’s track record before meeting can save you weeks of wasted time.
2. Make your cash flow your main obsession
There is a lot of optimism about fundraising next year, but the fear of running out of money is the main factor keeping founders up at night. Investors will also want to see evidence of a well-run and managed company. Financial acumen is now a crucial indicator of future success.
- 84% of US startups cite cash flow as the biggest potential risk for the coming year.
- Despite this, almost half of all founders are currently self-financing their business while working other jobs just to maintain that cash flow.
The takeaway: Cash is king. Investors are increasingly wary of ‘growth at all costs’. Your business plan should demonstrate cash flow resilience. Try to show a clear path to a three- to six-month cash buffer to prove your business is ‘recession-proof’.
3. Master the “realistic” pitch that shows your credibility
Our separate survey of the investment community revealed exactly what kills a deal in the first five minutes: unrealistic expectations.
- 21% of investors cited “over-optimistic financials” as the biggest flaw in current pitches, followed by an “unrealistic path to profitability” (20%).
- Conversely, 70% of successful commitments were driven by a ‘clear value proposition’.
The takeaway: Ground your pitch in realism. Model three scenarios: conservative, realistic and optimistic. Investors would rather see a credible 5x return than a made-up projection of 20x.
4. Be deal-ready from day one
Fundraising is a time-consuming activity that actively hurts growth. 45% of US founders say the time spent fundraising is hurting their ability to run their business. A lot of time is then lost due to administrative and legal delays.
The takeaway: Decide to build your “Investor Data Room” before starting your round. Make sure your cap table, intellectual property assignments, and registrations are in one folder and ready to share. Speed is a competitive advantage; don’t let a missing legal document ruin your momentum.
5. Don’t neglect your brand while building your product
45% of US founders and 38% of UK founders say fundraising takes up so much of their week that it actively hurts their core business. Marketing and branding are one of the areas that run into trouble when the founders’ time is so long. Still, it’s critical to build your brand and demonstrate your likely growth trajectory to investors so you can convince them to want to invest.
The takeaway: You can’t raise money in a vacuum. Investors want to see “social proof” and market traction. Resolve to spend more time on market validation in 2026. A small, targeted marketing campaign that proves there is a “hungry audience” is worth more to an investor than a thousand lines of unproven code.
6: Protect your most valuable asset: yourself
The “founder tax” is real. When asked about the non-financial costs of their trip, sleep and mental health were the biggest sacrifices reported. For 1 in 4 founders, fundraising takes up more than half of their work week. One of the most important pieces of advice successful founders give to those starting their journey is to be prepared for rejection and be resilient. This is much harder when you are tired and feeling vulnerable.
The takeaway: Sustainability is not just for your business model, but also for you. If you’re burned out, your pitch will suffer and your decision-making will falter. Make the decision to consider your well-being as a business KPI. Set limits on fundraising hours and build a support network of colleagues who can help carry the mental load. As we prepare for a well-deserved break this holiday season, however brief, the founder who wins in 2026 will be the one who is self-aware, has the right resolutions, and is determined to navigate the fundraising grind.
Happy New Year and good luck with your raise!
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