Fundraising is a skill most founders learn by painful trial and error—but the mechanics (term sheets, governance, dilution) are well documented. This list covers VC structure, pitch strategy, and the investor perspective from partners FTN profiles.
VC Mechanics
Venture Deals
Brad Feld and Jason Mendelson · Book
Term sheets, governance, and negotiation from experienced VC partners—the reference text.
Secrets of Sand Hill Road
Scott Kupor · Book
A16Z partner on how VCs evaluate, fund, and govern—the investor's side of the table.
Strategy and Storytelling
Paul Graham fundraising essays
Paul Graham · Essay
Timing, leverage, and the psychology of fundraising rounds.
Pitch deck examples and teardowns
Various · Primary Document
Real decks from successful raises—pattern recognition for what works.
Alternatives to VC
Company of One
Paul Jarvis · Book
Bootstrapping philosophy—when staying small is the strategy, not a failure to scale.