The podcast
Behind the Raise
The behind-the-scenes playbook for founders navigating private capital raises. From Reg A+ to Reg CF to Reg D, we share real strategies, real mistakes and the frameworks that turn investors into believers.
Not a fit right now
Our funnels work for a narrow kind of issuer.
One of your answers put you outside it. That is about fit, not about your business.
Our funnels are built for repeat raisers, not single deals.
The economics work when an investor comes back for later funds. Single-asset deals, debt and note funds and token offerings don’t have that, so we would be a poor fit and an expensive one.
We couldn’t match your offering to the types we work with.
We build for income funds, storage funds, energy partnerships, and revenue-stage hardware, med-tech and tech companies. If yours is close to one of those, email us and we’ll tell you honestly.
Our funnels need a raise of $3M or more.
Below that, the cost of building and running a funnel is too large a share of what you raise.
Investor ads need a filed 506(c), Reg CF or Reg A exemption.
Advertising an offering to the public is only allowed under 506(c) (with accredited-investor verification), Reg CF or Reg A. We can’t run ads for a 506(b)-only offering or one that isn’t decided.
We build on a track record.
Investors need something to look at: a closed prior fund, or an operating company with revenue. A first fund with nothing closed, or a concept, isn’t ready for paid investor acquisition yet.
Investors expect to talk to the issuer.
Ads fill the calendar. Without someone to hold the calls, those investors just wait. If that changes, we’d be glad to talk.
We ask for $100K in seed capital to start.
That covers legal and exemption costs, ad spend and our fees. Starting with less usually means stopping before the results are clear.
Our model can cost up to 20% of the capital raised from new investors.
It isn’t paid up front and it falls as investors re-up, but if that is too much, a bank or a placement agent may suit you better.
Come back when you’re closer to launching.
The build takes six weeks, so the best time to talk is within about 60 days of wanting ads running.
Our funnels suit raises that run six months or longer.
The build takes six weeks and the first cheques usually arrive about 30 days after ads go live. A shorter raise closes before the funnel has time to pay back.
We screen every issuer before we work together.
We only work with issuers and principals who are comfortable with a background and regulatory screening, and who have no criminal history, SEC bars or sanctions. Based on your answer, we can’t go further.
Retake the quiz
If your answer changes, you are welcome to try again.
Keep learning
Resources for your raise
Free from our team, whenever you are ready.
Our publication
Private Market Investor
Content on private market raises and trends across North America, from education to research to access.
Get your offering approved
Our regulated partners
Ready to file your offering? Reach out to our partners to start the conversation about getting approved to raise capital.
United States
Broker-dealers
Canada
Exempt market dealers (EMDs)
Not sure who to start with? Email martin@virtualad.co and we will point you the right way.