Fundraising Faster: How Automation is Changing the Way Founders Raise Capital
.tmb-cfthumb_fb.png?Culture=en&sfvrsn=256246ca_4)
As startups continue to face fundraising challenges due to the slowdown in investing activity, founders are looking for new ways to raise capital and increase efficiency. One of their options is the automation of fundraising through the use of platforms such as Seed Checks.
Seed Checks was launched in early 2023 by venture capitalist and marketing entrepreneur Julian Shapiro. The platform functions as a common application through which founders pitch their startups to multiple investors at the same time. There are very few restrictions on which startups may apply, though the group of investors involved focuses on startups valued under $20 million and will not invest in consumer packaged goods or direct-to-consumer brands. In addition, the investors caution that they skew towards United States startups in their portfolios.
Using Seed Checks is simple: founders apply using a one-minute form that asks them for a pitch deck, memo and region. Once submitted, the application is shared with 16 investors who have unilateral or individual check-writing capabilities, including Dropbox’s Arash Ferdowsi, Mercury’s Immad Akhund, and Conviction’s Sarah Guo. The applications are reviewed every two weeks and if investors are interested, they will reach out directly to the founders.
Time will tell whether automated fundraising will become the new normal for startups, or whether more targeted, relationship-based fundraising will remain the most reliable way to raise capital.
Image by https://unsplash.com/@joshuamayoo
Authors
Expertise
Insights
-
Energy
Supreme Court of Canada Interprets the Telecommunications Act
In Telus Communications Inc. v. Federation of Canadian Municipalities, the Supreme Court of Canada considered the correct interpretation of the term “transmission line”, as used in sections 43 and… -
Technology
FlexPro Gets a Grip on Baseball Pitchers’ Injuries
Ulnar collateral ligament (“UCL”) injuries – tears of damages to the inner elbow ligament - have been a challenge for baseball pitchers of all skill levels since the sport’s inception. Baseball fans… -
Technology
Securing Canada’s Digital Future
As digital threats become increasingly sophisticated, protecting Canada’s defence supply chains has never been more important. To address this challenge, the Government of Canada introduced the… -
Technology
Canadian Legal Tech Company, Clio, Acquires UK-based ShareDo
In a strategic move to expand its services to large law firms, BC-based legal technology company Clio has acquired UK-based ShareDo. Founded in 2011, ShareDo is a provider of adaptive work management… -
Technology
The 2025 TSX Venture 50 List
The 2025 TSX Venture 50 list has been released, showcasing the top 50 best-performing companies on the TSX Venture Exchange (“TSXV”) over the past year. This year’s list was compiled based on a new… -
Litigation and Dispute Resolution
Court Declines to Rule Out Duty of Care Owed by Social Media Platforms to School Boards
In Toronto District School Board v. Meta Platforms Inc. et al. (2025 ONSC 1499), Ontario Superior Court Justice Leiper dismissed a motion to strike a lawsuit commenced by the Toronto District School…