TheSumMeet’s Post

💡 What Happened to The SumMeet? 💡 An idea? A team? A startup? It all began as a bold experiment—a group of strangers armed with a framework, radical collaboration, and a shared mission. Together, we built something extraordinary in just a week: a platform with a soul, created to foster real connections through powerful questions and true alignment. 🌟 And then came the moment of truth. A pitch. A chance to take this #24hourstartup from an intense week of volunteer-driven magic to something that could truly last. No funding. No guarantees. Just a mission. 📢 And we asked for 1 MILLION EUROS. Was it too bold? Too audacious? Maybe. But when you believe in what you’ve built, you ask the right question, even if it’s a bold one. Asking for 1 million wasn’t just about money—it was about believing in the power of connection, in the product we created, and in the future it could have. 👉 This is the moment to back The SumMeet. Whether you’re an investor, a dreamer, or someone who believes in connecting with purpose—this is your call to join the journey. Sometimes, boldness is exactly what it takes to make a difference. 💡💪 Stuart Cerne Francesca Giacomelli Mabel Orbea Joy Muttai Jean Ly Luis Roquette Valdez Luis Caixado Lucy Wanyee Trevor Longino Christiaan O Cátia Pinheiro Manso Samvel Atayan Daniel Ribeiro da Silva Sara Timóteo Rita Vargas Michelangelo Guarise Eric Meylan Jennie Holmes Emiliano Manuel #TheSumMeet #24HourStartup #ConnectingWithPurpose #BoldnessMatters #Innovation #StartupFunding #PurposeDriven #CommunityPower #WebSummit2024

They said it was impossible! So we went and did it anyway. We raised 1 MILLION DOLLARS in 24 Hours. 💰💰💰 For a startup that was founded only a few days earlier, built in 24 hours, by a team of 100 strangers ! 😱 We built it fast, scrappy and unconventional. And that's how we fundraised too. But we needed to find the right investor! Because the core value of the venture is not the (important) problem TheSumMeet is there to fix. It's the people and the culture we have built in just 1 week. The ability to attract incredible talent and work united in the pursuit of a common objective at peak performance with relentless pursuit of our goal. If we did this in a week, on the sidelines of a conference, what can we do when we really get out head down to BUILD? This was our pitch! And I knew this was not a pitch for a regular VC. We needed to find a Visionary Investor. I have #fundraised before and I have a super simple formula that pretty much guarantees fundraising success: 1. How much you need, 2. What you need it for, 3. By when you will achieve this, and 4. What achieving this means to the investor you're pitching. In fact I believe the reason many think fundraising is hard is because most founders can't really answer those 4 questions. It's as simple as that. Or when they can, they get deflated by rejection, not realising this is the inevitable process of searching for the right investor/startup fit. But this time was different, I could not articulate my own fundraising framework. And yet I knew we're on to something hot. And impossible to explain to a conventional VC. I needed a visionary investor, I was aiming for Jack Dorsey, but I couldn't get his number, so I tried for family offices, impact investors, and anyone I though might hear my question. I made all the calls I could make, to anyone I thought might help. And most people thought I was going mad. All I needed was for my question to get to just one person to get the RIGHT answer. The rest is background noise. And so, the #Visionary Investor appeared. Thank you for your trust Bruno Michieli. Your're as mad as the whole tribe that put this project together! Ask the right question, get the right answer! #thesummeer #builtinlisbon #startup #24hourstartup #Fundraising

How the Final Piece Fell into Place: A Personal Journey of Transformation After starting my Master’s degree three times—quitting twice—I’m now excitedly approaching the finish line. This journey has led me to reflect on a decade with one company and the thrilling new beginning. I’m incredibly grateful for the lessons learned along the way, and I’m committed to using them to give back to the community that has shaped me. Here are some key insights I’ve gathered: 1. Cultivate Intentional Relationships: My last week at GeoPoll was a powerful reminder of the importance of connection. I’m proud of the positive impact I made and the relationships I built there. 2. Embrace Intrapreneurship and Entrepreneurship: I’ve discovered a newfound passion for both and the incredible potential they hold in driving innovation. Massachusetts Institute of Technology 3. Dream Without Limits: No dream is too big! I've had the opportunity to study at 3 universities for one program, broadening my perspective and igniting my ambition. The Lisbon MBA Católica | Nova 4. Forge Your Own Path: You’re not confined to a set trajectory. It’s perfectly fine to stray from a path that no longer aligns with your journey. 5. Stay True to Your Values: When you reach a ripe old age, will you look back and feel fulfilled? Reflecting on your life is essential—make sure it was worth it! 6. Keep an Open Mind: Engage in meaningful conversations and surround yourself with people who challenge you. Recently, I encountered a group of inspiring strangers who united to build a community dedicated to connection. Together, TheSumMeet launched a startup, rebranded, and raised $1 million—24 hours for each milestone! If that isn't a testament to the power of collaboration and ambition, I don’t know what is. Let’s uplift each other as we chase our dreams and make a difference together! 🌟🚀 #TheSumMeet #GrowthJourney #Community #DreamBig #Collaborate #Impact #Inspiration #Leadership #Innovation

38% of startups fail because they can’t raise capital. Don’t let yours become a statistic. 💸 At Forecastr, we’ve raised ~$15M in funding, and today, I’m sharing my top strategies to help YOU raise money the right way: 1️⃣ Know Your Why Don’t raise money just to get a headline on TechCrunch. Make sure you have a clear purpose, like growing your business and delivering real returns to investors. The hype won’t get you far without a plan. 2️⃣ Leverage Angel Networks Platforms like AngelList and Gust are goldmines for finding investors. But don’t expect to seal the deal with a cold message—use these platforms to build relationships and get warm introductions. 3️⃣ Build Your Brand on Social Media Share your journey openly—your wins, struggles, and lessons learned. Authenticity builds trust, and trust attracts investors. Plus, even if you don’t land funding right away, you’ll boost your personal brand. 4️⃣ Network Like a Pro Attend events (virtual or in-person), engage with speakers, and be bold. You’re there to make connections, not just to pitch. The best opportunities often come from unexpected conversations. 5️⃣ Tap into Fellow Founders Your founder network is critical. They’ve been through the trenches and can make valuable introductions to investors. Humility goes a long way—don’t be afraid to ask for help. Fundraising isn’t easy, but with the right strategy and a little patience, you can find the perfect investor for your business. #Startups #Fundraising #Entrepreneurship #VentureCapital #AngelInvestors

Fundraising for startups is hard — especially early-stage startups Persistence, preserving and preparing for you next shot on goal is what it's all about Everyone from Airbnb to Google heard NO 100s of times before getting a YES Having the right mindset and expectations can really help keep you in the game to achieve the outcomes you are aiming for. Every chance you need to take something away to improve the probability in your favor for a better funding, and better terms and investors. Be prepared, and remember; 🏫 Fundraising is a learning process 🔄 Figure out what investors want and which are a good match for your offering 📨 Master short updates, and crisp emails to prospective and current investors Plus all the great tips down here 👇

Don’t Wait Until You’re Raising to Connect with Investors—Start Now! Some people believe you should only meet with investors when you're raising a round. I strongly disagree. Here’s my take👇 Start building relationships with investors from day one. Why? Closing a seed round isn’t about a single pitch; it’s about nurturing multiple conversations that build trust and momentum. Yes, it’s ideal to condense those conversations into a 3-6 week period when your metrics are solid. But as a founder, who really has the luxury to pause everything and focus solely on fundraising for weeks? I sure don’t. That’s why I recommend dedicating 10-20% of your time consistently to meeting with angels, syndicates, VCs, and more—long before you’re actively raising. Remember, investors aren’t just cash machines—they’re people. Get to know them as individuals, understand the thesis of the firms they represent, and if they’re interested, keep them updated on your progress. Think of it as building a sales pipeline. You add value where you can, but at the very least, you keep yourself on their radar by sharing the milestones your startup achieves. And who knows? Along the way, you might find valuable customers, employees, partners, or even friends. #Startups #SeedFunding #VCFunding #Founders #Newableadvice

As a first-time founder who raised a $425k pre-seed 🌱💰 Here are my biggest takeaways: ▶ 𝗗𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹, 𝘆𝗼𝘂'𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗴𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸. Stop expecting it. Instead, focus on building rapport and evaluating mutual fit. Genuine connections often lead to better outcomes in the end. ▶ 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵. For every successful round you read about on TechCrunch or LinkedIn, 50 others flopped. ▶ 𝗗𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆. I made that mistake too. A 'no' doesn’t always reflect poorly on your business. Investors might lack funds and often avoid admitting this. ▶ 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸. Plan accordingly. ▶ 𝗨𝗻𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂'𝘃𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝗱 𝗺𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗿 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗱𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗩𝗖𝘀. Focus on your product and improve your metrics by talking to users. ▶ 𝗕𝗲 𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗸𝘆 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘆 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺. A difficult investor on your cap table isn’t worth a $25k check. We have 27 investors now and zero of them suck. ▶ 𝗠𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻’𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗱 $𝟯 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁. Evaluate your business realistically and consider raising a smaller round initially. ▶ 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁, 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘂𝗻𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀. Keep up the momentum and actively seek more funding while the iron is hot. ▶ 𝗔 𝗻𝗼𝗻-𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗺𝗶𝗿𝗿𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗮 𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆, 𝗳𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 '𝗻𝗼'𝘀. Perseverance is paramount. To all the founders out there raising funds—stay at it. Your hard work will pay off. If you're an accredited investor interested in learning more about this opportunity, reach out and we can set up a time to chat. #startups #venturecapital #fundraising _____ Enjoy this? Follow Kevin Jurovich for daily startup & VC insights and the occasional meme. ✌️

Fundraising is challenging. But with the right resources, connections, traction, and a well-organized process, it becomes entirely achievable. Check out these these valuable insights from a founder who has successfully navigated the journey. #fundraising #earlystage #VC

"Fundraising is tough". I don't think enough founders appreciate this until they actually try. It is why I believe that founders should always be raising. Even when they don't have an open round. What do I mean? Make contacts with potential investors. Seed their interest. Keep them informed of progress. Ask for introductions. Build those relationships. That way, when you do have an open round you're not starting cold. This does not mean that those investors will put money in your idea. But, even if they don't they will be much more likely to make warm introductions to others who might end up doing so. #FundraisingChallenges #StartupLife #Entrepreneurship #FounderAdvice #InvestorRelations #AlwaysBeRaising #BuildingConnections #StartupFunding #RelationshipBuilding #VentureCapital #NetworkingForSuccess #StartupJourney #FounderMindset

Today at a meeting someone asked me: "Was it easy to raise a round of 1.25M€?" The truth? Every funding announcement hides a journey filled with late nights, perseverance, rejection, and an incredible professional/personal growth. As entrepreneurs, it's essential to share our stories because they remind us that we’re not alone. Let me share a glimpse of what I learned: - 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 "𝗡𝗼'𝘀": We faced many rejections. Initially, I didn’t understand why. So, I asked for feedback. This helped me improve and also showed me that for some investors we were just too early or they weren't investing in our space. Some of those connections are still potential investors for future rounds. - 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗙𝗶𝘁: Investors contribute far more than just with money. They are part of our journey, through good and bad times. Having investors who truly believe in us, who introduce us to partners, makes all the difference. Sometimes, saying no is necessary if it doesn't feel like the right match. - 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗠𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻: During fundraising, it’s easy to question your mission and feel tempted to adapt to every suggestion. But staying true to our core mission has been crucial. We’ve made strategic pivots, but keeping our mission at the center has helped us stay focused and connect with investors who genuinely align. 🙏Hans(wo)men Group, 𝗟𝗮 𝗩𝗶𝗱𝗮 𝗘𝘀 𝗖𝗵𝘂𝗹𝗮,GlovoXSyndicate, ROI VENTURES, Venture Hub #Entrepreneurship #Fundraising #Resilience