Insights from a startup investor: Eva Dobrzanska’s advice for founders

Let’s face it, raising money for a startup can feel like climbing Everest… But fear not – Eva Dobrzanska, the mastermind behind Fundraising Playbooks, has helped founders conquer the peaks of capital raising, armed with nothing more than cold emails and razor-sharp strategy.

In this Q&A, Eva spills the secrets that have taken her from Sydney’s startup scene to London’s venture capital ecosystem. Whether you’re a founder on your first funding round, a seasoned pro or a fellow investor, Eva’s insights are packed with gems of wisdom for everyone.

Q&A

Q: What initially drew you to the startup world?

Eva: Honestly? A LinkedIn job ad! It was an early-stage fintech startup in Sydney, and I became their first hire after finishing my Masters in International Business.

It was a two-person team, just me and the founder. We were figuring everything out as we went, but it was such an exciting experience. We scaled the business from zero to AU$2 million ARR in just a year and a half. That fast-paced, hands-on environment got me hooked on startups.

After moving to London, I worked for a larger investment firm and eventually an incubator. I was always advising founders on the side, helping them with pitch decks and strategic positioning. Fast forward to this year, and I decided to go solo, launching Fundraising Playbooks to work full-time with founders on their capital raise strategies.

Q: How do the startup ecosystems compare in London vs Sydney?

Eva: They’re quite different. Australia, for example, has a very generous R&D tax incentive, but the market is much smaller. Australian startups tend to internationalise faster because the local market is limited. There’s also a lot of synergy between Sydney and London, especially in tech and finance. Many founders I met in Sydney have connections here in London. It’s a small world, really!

Q: How should founders approach raising capital in today’s landscape?

Eva: Right now, the investment landscape is tough—VCs are more selective, and it’s harder to stand out. But that doesn’t mean it’s impossible.

A lot of my focus is on cold emailing, which is a really underrated tool. I’ve seen emails I drafted for clients get responses from VCs in 20 minutes, leading to serious investment discussions. The key is to craft a message that’s personalised and tailored to the investor. You need to stand out, and the first impression has to be strong.

Q: Speaking of cold emails, what’s the key to making that first impression count?

Eva: Be concise, relevant, and impactful. Your cold email should be less than 400 characters, personalised, and include a hook that gets the investor’s attention. It’s about creating a cliff-hanger that leaves them wanting to know more.

Q: Why is fundraising so difficult right now compared to previous years?

Eva: The landscape has definitely become more challenging. We’re seeing fewer deals being made, but the ones that do happen are massive.

Q: What’s the most common mistake founders make during fundraising?

Eva: I see a few, but the biggest one is not personalising their communication. Founders send out generic pitch decks or cold emails without understanding who they’re pitching to.

You can’t expect good results if you’re not tailoring your message to the investor’s interests. Also, many founders overload their pitch decks with too much information.

Q: What should founders focus on in their pitch decks?

Eva: Less is more. Don’t overload the investor with information. Create a cliff-hanger—something that makes them want to know more. Your goal isn’t to get the investment immediately, but to secure the next meeting. Keep your pitch deck concise, and focus on the team, traction, and partnerships more than just the product itself.

Q: How long does the fundraising process typically take?

Eva: In today’s market, it can take six to nine months to secure funding. It can be quicker if you’re in the right networks or have connections to angel investors. But for most, it’s a long game.

Q: What are the top traits or qualities you look for in founders when deciding whether to invest in them?

Eva: It boils down to a few key things:

1. Relationship-building – People invest in people they like. Founders who can create genuine connections with investors will always have an edge.
2. Coachability – Investors want to know that founders are open to feedback and willing to adapt. No investor wants to work with someone who thinks they know it all.
3. Resilience – Fundraising is tough, and you’ll hear a lot of ‘no’s before you get to a ‘yes.’ Founders who can persevere through that process stand out.

Q: What’s one piece of advice you’d give to founders just starting their fundraising journey?

Eva: Think of fundraising as a trilateral equation:

1. You
2. The Investor
3. The Market.

You can control your own business and your story, but you also need to understand the investor’s perspective and the broader market trends. Don’t just think about your product; consider what’s happening in the investor’s world and how external factors (like economic shifts) may affect their decisions. Timing is everything, so be strategic about when you reach out.

Q: What tools do you use to streamline the fundraising process?

Eva: I use a few that I recommend to founders:

• Shipshape.vc: A great tool for finding investors.
• Apollo.io: Excellent for finding emails and staying organized.
• Hubspot: A CRM that keeps everything on track, especially during investor outreach.

Additionally, I offer a Fundraising Playbook, which is a resource package full of investor lists, outreach templates, and tips on accelerating the process.

Q: Lastly, what’s the most surprising fact about you?

Eva: I host monthly house parties for startups! It’s something that began this year, and it’s a great way to build community in an informal setting. I think it’s important to create spaces where founders can connect outside of formal pitch meetings or networking events—it builds stronger, more genuine relationships.

Learn more

Want to connect with Eva? Explore her LinkedIn to find out more, and make sure to check out the  Fundraising Playbooks.

Investors – Want to know how SeedLegals can help you start and speed up your investment in startups? Learn more here and book a free call so we can talk you through it.

Founders – Ready to raise? Explore how we can help you save money and time with startup funding. Book a free call to find out more.