Overview
For space founders, fundraising is not about hype—it's about clarity, precision, and long-term trust. This section provides the essential tools to design a high-conviction capital strategy, craft a world-class pitch, and raise smart capital across multiple sources—from non-dilutive grants to pre-seed VC.
Part 1: Fundraising Roadmap Design
Purpose: Create a capital plan aligned with your tech roadmap, hiring plan, and risk milestones.
Tool: Capital Strategy Planner
Time Horizon: 0–36 months
Key Milestones: [Technical, Revenue, Regulatory, Hiring]
Estimated Costs per Milestone
Funding Needed: _______
Ideal Sources: [SBIR, VC, Strategic, Crowdfunding, Customers]
Output: A 2-Stage Capital Plan (e.g. Pre-Seed + Seed) with clear milestone-based asks.
Part 2: Investor Targeting
Purpose: Identify the investors most likely to believe in your mission, model, and stage.
Resources:
Curated VC Lists (SpaceTech, Dual-Use, Climate, Deeptech)
Strategic Corp Dev Lists (Airbus, Lockheed, Redwire, etc.)
Government/Defense Grant Maps (NASA, DoD, SBIR/STTR)
Tip: Prioritize warm intros and conviction-fit over volume.
Part 3: Building a Credible Pitch
Purpose: Craft a story and structure that builds conviction with deeptech investors.
Template: VC Pitch Deck (14 Slides)
Mission & Vision
Problem
Market Size (with dual-use insight)
Solution (with TRL context)
Why Now
Roadmap & Milestones
Go-To-Market & BD Motion
Competitive Advantage
Business Model
Traction (Tech + Partnerships)
Team & Advisors
Ask (Stage, Amount, Use of Funds)
Capital Stack Strategy (Grant + Equity)
Closing Vision Slide (World We’re Building)
Extras: Include Export Controls Plan if relevant.
Part 4: Capital Stack Design
Purpose: Blend multiple funding sources to increase survival odds and minimize dilution.
Tool: Space Capital Stack Framework
Equity: Angel, VC, Strategic
Non-Dilutive: SBIR, STTR, CSA, ESA, NSF
Revenue: LOIs, early pilots, gov’t customers
Alternatives: Crowdfunding (e.g. Spaced Ventures), University Spinouts, R&D Credits
Part 5: Cap Table & Terms Literacy
Purpose: Avoid rookie mistakes on control, dilution, and investor alignment.
Resources:
Simple Cap Table Builder (Excel/Notion)
Pre vs. Post Money Cheat Sheet
SAFEs vs. Convertible Notes vs. Priced Equity
Founder's Guide to Term Sheets (with Red Flags)
Exercise: Model 3 future rounds using your capital stack assumptions. Visualize dilution.
Part 6: Warm Intros & Investor Process
Purpose: Systematize your outreach, intros, and follow-ups.
Tools:
Warm Intro Tracker (CRM Template)
Investor FAQ Builder (Build a Notion page to send)
Momentum Loop Strategy: Build, Share, Update
Best Practice: Fundraising is a campaign. Set weekly goals. Drive urgency. Control narrative.