How Startups Can Time Fundraising for Maximum Impact

If you’re an early-stage founder looking to raise in 2025, timing matters just as much as your pitch. Raising at the right moment can mean the difference between a smooth, well-paced process and a prolonged, frustrating fundraising journey.

At our recent State of Pre-Seed & Seed VC panel, Jenny Fielding (Managing Partner at Everywhere Ventures) shared tactical insights on when founders should go to market. The reality? Fundraising has seasons, and aligning your raise with VC activity can significantly boost your chances of success.

Here’s how to make sure you’re raising at the right time.

1. The Best Times to Raise: Follow the VC Calendar

Venture capitalists, like everyone else, operate on predictable cycles of activity. There are times when they are laser-focused on making deals—and times when they’re distracted, slow-moving, or simply unavailable.

📅 The best windows to fundraise:
✅ Mid-January to mid-May – Investors are back from the holiday break, refreshed, and looking to deploy capital. This is one of the most active periods for venture funding.
✅ Post-Labor Day to Thanksgiving – Summer is over, investors are back in the office, and firms are motivated to close deals before year-end.

🚫 The worst times to fundraise:
❌ Summer (June-August) – Many investors take vacations, and deals tend to move much slower. Even if a firm is still writing checks, decision-making is often delayed due to key stakeholders being out of office.
❌ December – Between end-of-year financial planning, portfolio management, and holiday travel, most investors shift their focus away from new deals.

💡 Jenny summed it up well: “Even if some investors say they’re available, deals often drag due to vacations and slower team dynamics. The best way to maximize your odds is to go out when investors are actively deploying.”

Key takeaway: Target your raise during peak VC activity windows to move faster and get better engagement from investors.

2. Why Timing Matters: Investor Mindset & Deal Flow Cycles

Understanding why these cycles exist can help you better plan your fundraising strategy.

Investor Priorities Shift Throughout the Year

✔ Early in the year (Q1-Q2): Many funds have fresh capital allocations and are actively looking for new investments.
✔ Late in the year (Q3-Q4): VCs focus more on follow-on funding for existing portfolio companies and wrapping up outstanding deals.

Fundraising Pacing & Competition

• If you raise at the wrong time (e.g., July or December), your round may take longer to close, even if you have strong traction.
• Fundraising windows also impact competition. More founders enter the market during peak seasons, so you need to ensure your company stands out.

💡 Jenny pointed out that founders who start their raise too late in the season often find themselves stuck in a prolonged process that bleeds into a dead period. “If you start a raise in May and don’t close quickly, you risk getting stuck in summer stagnation.”

Key takeaway: Investors don’t just write checks at any time. Their capital deployment patterns follow annual cycles, so align your fundraise accordingly.

3. Be Ready Before You Go to Market

Once you’ve identified the right fundraising window, you need to ensure you’re truly prepared before reaching out to investors. The best founders don’t just pick the right season—they also start strong.

What to Have Ready Before You Start Fundraising

✅ Investor Pipeline – Research and shortlist VCs who are aligned with your industry, stage, and vision. Warm introductions work best, so start networking early.
✅ Pitch Deck & Financial Model – Your story should be compelling, concise, and backed by numbers that make sense. Ensure your deck clearly outlines your traction, market opportunity, and use of funds.
✅ Key Traction Metrics – Even at pre-seed, investors want to see momentum. Whether it’s customer interest, revenue growth, or product progress, be prepared to showcase your milestones.
✅ Legal & Administrative Readiness – Ensure your cap table is clean, your data room is organized, and your legal documents are investor-ready.

💡 Jenny emphasized that being unprepared can lead to delays, causing founders to miss their optimal fundraising window. “If you’re not ready when the season starts, you risk dragging into a slow period where deals take much longer to close.”

Key takeaway: Start building investor relationships and preparing your materials well in advance so you can execute efficiently during peak fundraising seasons.

4. Fundraising Strategy: Plan for Momentum

Momentum is a critical part of any successful raise. A well-orchestrated fundraising process ensures that your outreach, meetings, and follow-ups happen in a tight time frame.

Tips for Creating Fundraising Momentum:

📌 Set a Clear Start Date – Don’t just “test the waters.” Instead, plan a structured launch for your raise, aligning with the right season.
📌 Batch Your Meetings – Schedule multiple investor meetings in a short time frame to create urgency and competitive tension.
📌 Drive Towards a Close – Investors move faster when they know others are interested. Use early traction to create FOMO and secure commitments.

💡 As Jenny put it: “A well-timed, well-executed fundraise doesn’t just maximize your chances of success—it also keeps you from wasting time in an extended, drawn-out process.”

Key takeaway: Fundraising isn’t just about the right season—it’s also about executing efficiently within that window to maintain momentum.

Final Takeaways: Raise at the Right Time, the Right Way

✅ Fundraising has seasons. The best times to raise are January-May and September-November—avoid the summer and December dead zones.
✅ Understand investor cycles. VCs deploy capital in waves, so timing your raise strategically gives you a better shot at securing funding.
✅ Be prepared before launching. Have your materials, investor pipeline, and traction ready before reaching out to investors.
✅ Create momentum. Fundraising works best when executed in a structured, time-compressed way that generates urgency.

By aligning your fundraising efforts with peak investor activity and ensuring you’re fully prepared, you can maximize your chances of raising efficiently and successfully.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

When is the best time for startups to raise funding?

The best fundraising windows are mid-January to mid-May and post-Labor Day to Thanksgiving. These periods align with peak VC activity, making it easier to secure meetings and close deals faster.

When should startups avoid fundraising?

Avoid raising in June-August and December, as many investors take vacations, focus on existing portfolio companies, or slow down new deal activity. Fundraising during these times can lead to longer cycles and delayed decision-making.

Why does timing matter when raising capital?

Venture capital firms follow predictable investment cycles. Raising at the right time increases the likelihood of securing funding efficiently, while raising during slow periods can prolong the process and reduce investor engagement.

How can startups prepare before fundraising?

Startups should have a clear investor pipeline, a strong pitch deck, key traction metrics, and organized legal documents before launching a raise. Being fully prepared prevents delays and maximizes fundraising momentum.

How can startups create momentum during a fundraise?

Momentum is key to closing a successful round. Founders should batch investor meetings, set a clear fundraising start date, and drive towards a fast close by leveraging early commitments to create urgency and FOMO among investors.

What happens if my raise overlaps with a slow period?

If your fundraising process extends into a slow period, it may take longer to close, and investor responsiveness may decrease. To avoid this, start your raise early in peak seasons and execute efficiently to maintain momentum.

Should I wait for the “perfect” time to raise?

While timing is important, market conditions, investor interest, and your company’s progress should ultimately guide your decision. If you have strong traction and a compelling pitch, you can still raise outside of peak windows—but expect a longer process.

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