Raise for Resilience: Why Longer Runways and Capital Efficiency Matter More Than Ever for B2B SaaS Founders

The venture capital landscape has changed, and so should your fundraising strategy. If you're a B2B SaaS founder raising a pre-seed or seed round in 2025, one thing is clear: Resilience matters. Investors are no longer funding growth-at-all-costs startups. Instead, they are backing founders who plan for longer runways, embrace capital efficiency, and execute consistently over time.

If you’re a B2B SaaS founder seeking a pre-seed, seed round, or accelerator program, understanding these trends is crucial. At Forum Ventures’ recent State of Pre-Seed & Seed VC panel, top investors—including Jenny Fielding (Everywhere Ventures), Kelley Mak (Work-Bench) and Brian Hollins (Collide Capital)—shared fundraising advice for today’s market.

This guide will help you navigate the new fundraising landscape, covering:
✔ Why longer runways (24-30 months) are the new standard
✔ How to build capital-efficient growth strategies
✔ The importance of consistent execution to attract investors

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1. The Fundraising Shift: Why Longer Runways Are Essential in 2025

VC Expectations Have Changed

Startups raising pre-seed or seed funding can no longer plan for 12–18 months of runway. Investors now expect at least 24–30 months of operating cash.

Why the shift?

• Market volatility – Raising a follow-on round has become unpredictable, making startups with short runways riskier investments.
• Increased investor scrutiny – VCs want to see execution before capital, rather than funding early-stage startups purely on potential.
• Flexibility for pivots – Many B2B SaaS startups pivot in early stages. A longer runway gives you time to adjust without the pressure of an imminent raise.

💡 Jenny Fielding highlighted that resilient startups are the ones “fortifying their businesses to withstand uncertainty.”How to Raise for a Longer Runway

‍✅ Target 24–30 months of runway. If you can stretch to 30 months, even better. Investors are more likely to support a well-capitalized startup that won’t need to raise again in a year.
✅ Be transparent about burn rate. Investors want to see a smart, lean approach to capital allocation.
✅ Raise slightly more than planned. If the market turns and capital dries up, having extra runway could be a game-changer.

2. More Capital ≠ Faster Growth: The Shift to Capital Efficiency

For years, startups followed the mantra: Raise more, grow faster. That model is dead.

Now, capital efficiency is the new competitive advantage.

💡 Jenny Fielding advised founders to rethink their relationship with capital, noting that:

“More funding isn’t always better. The goal should be sustainable growth and adaptability.”

How to Optimize Capital Efficiency

✅ Define Your Minimum Viable Spend (MVS).

• Instead of spending based on how much you raise, spend based on what’s necessary to hit your next milestone.
• What is the absolute minimum you need to hit the traction point that makes you fundable for the next round?

✅ Smart Hiring = Smart Spending.

• In the past, hiring signaled momentum—now, investors want to see efficient team growth.
• A bloated team at pre-seed/seed stage is a red flag.

✅ Focus on Revenue-Generating Activities.

• Your burn rate should align with a clear revenue strategy, not just customer acquisition at any cost.
• If you’re spending on marketing, measure CAC (Customer Acquisition Cost) vs. LTV (Lifetime Value) to ensure positive ROI.

3. Execution & Consistency: The True Markers of a Fundable Startup

‍Investors aren’t just looking for impressive traction numbers. They want consistent execution over multiple quarters.

‍💡 Brian Hollins emphasized that:

‍“Investors are paying close attention to milestones. It’s not just about hitting big numbers but proving you can execute consistently over time.”

‍How to Prove Strong Execution

‍✅ Set Realistic Growth Milestones—and Hit Them.

• If you tell investors you’ll grow MRR by 15–20% MoM, deliver on that projection.
• Investors want to see startups that set achievable goals and follow through.

✅ Demonstrate Capital Efficiency.

• Have you extended runway without compromising growth?
• Did you acquire customers while keeping CAC low?

✅ Raise at the Right Time.

• If you raise too early without traction or too late when cash is running out, it signals poor planning.
• The best time to raise is when you still have 6–9 months of runway left and strong momentum.

Final Takeaway: Build to Last, Not Just to Raise

‍In today’s market, the most successful B2B SaaS founders aren’t the ones who raise the biggest rounds.They’re the ones who build resilient, sustainable businesses.‍

✔ Raise for at least 24–30 months of runway.
✔ Cut unnecessary burn—focus on revenue-driven spending.
✔ Prove execution by consistently hitting milestones.

‍By embracing these strategies, you won’t just improve your fundability—you’ll build a stronger, more durable SaaS company.

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