Let’s be honest most founders start preparing for a raise far too late. If you’re thinking of raising in three months, you’re already behind.

The 3-Month Myth

At this stage, you’re likely scrambling:

• Decks are rushed
• Financials are patchy
• Investor outreach is cold and reactive

You might still raise but it’ll be harder, slower, and potentially on worse terms.

6 Months: The Minimum Viable Prep

With six months, you can:

• Refine your investor story
• Build a clean data room
• Start soft-circling investors
• Align your team and roadmap

It’s tight, but doable especially if you’ve raised before or have strong traction.

9 Months: The Strategic Sweet Spot

This is where the magic happens:

• You align your raise with key inflection points (e.g. product launch, revenue milestone, major partnership)
• You build relationships with investors before you need their money
• You test and iterate your pitch with advisors and friendly investors

Milestones Matter More Than Months

Timing isn’t just about the calendar it’s about momentum. Investors want to see:

• Growth curves, not flatlines
• Market validation, not just ambition
• A clear “why now” moment