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Marc Andreessen and Parker Conrad: The Best Advice for Raising Venture Capital

By Marc Andreessen · Investing · 1 min read

Two of Silicon Valley's most experienced voices share what actually works — and what is a waste of time — in fundraising.

Key Points

Only raise when you have proof of traction — not when you need money
The best pitch is a demo, not a deck
Raise from investors who understand your specific market

The best time to raise is when you do not need the money. That is when you have all the leverage.

Raise From Strength

The worst time to raise is when you need money. Desperation shows.

The best time: when things are going well. Revenue is growing. Users love the product.

That is when you have leverage. Investors compete for you, not the other way around.

We pitched almost every VC firm in Silicon Valley. 60 firms. They all told us no.

Demo Over Deck

Andreessen says the best pitch is a working demo. Not slides.

A demo proves you can build. Slides prove you can present. Those are different skills.

Show the product. Let it speak.

The best time to raise is when you do not need the money.

Market-Specific Investors

Raise from investors who understand your market. Not generalists.

A generalist VC will ask basic questions. A specialist will ask hard ones.

The hard questions make your company better. The basic ones waste your time.