I make Pre-Seed to Series B founders successfully fundraise by helping you build your fundraising operating system. | $350m+ raised with founders. | Follow me for tips on fundraising.

I have spent the last 10 years trying to find the "secret" sauce to making you fundraise for your company.

And you know what?

There's no secret. 

It’s just a matter of having: 

- The right preparation & processes
- A clear and concise narrative & storytelling
- Structured relationships built over a long period 

The real "secret", if there's any at all, is that you need to build a system around your fundraise to make sure you do the proper work.

A system means that allows you to: 

- Efficiently build the right relationships with investors and connectors
- Influence investors that YOU are a good bet
- Take them through your process in an efficient manner 

All the while keeping accountability of you doing the boring but important stuff.

During the $400m+ in venture funding I have been a part of, I was able to meet best-in-class  entrepreneurs. 

Some of these entrepreneurs have gone on to raise $100M+ in fundraising each. ​

All of them possessed operating systems for the fundraises. 

I’ve built such a system for fundraising founders. 

And I can help you build yours. 

But as with all things, getting started, maintaining consistency and keeping accountability is easier said than done.

The founders I have helped with their fundraises have gone on to raise $250M+. 

...And I'm doing all of this with a 100% MONEY-BACK GUARANTEE.

Now, are you serious about building fundraising for your startup? 

Let's make it happen.

(I CAN'T HELP YOU IF YOU HAVE ALREADY STARTED YOUR FUNDRAISE). 

👉🏼 Shoot me a DM, or head over to my featured section & check out our offer.

I'll see you at the top!

Gian Seehra

A paid “intro service” just cold-DM’d me… 


asking if I invest.

I don’t.

And a 10-second look at my profile makes that obvious.

You can see the message down below after I asked why they connected with me. 

This is why you should be careful paying for “VC intros”:

𝟭) 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗱𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮 𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝟱𝟬𝟬 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀

If they did, they wouldn’t be spraying DMs at random people.

𝟮) 𝗠𝗼𝘀𝘁 “𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝘀” 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗯𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗺 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗱

You’re not getting "warm" relationships as much as they pretend. 

They will just spam you out in the hopes someone bites. 

𝟯) 𝗜𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗵𝘂𝗿𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴

Investors can smell mass outreach instantly.

Even if you get a call they will think you are desperate and think less of you. 

-

Think about it:

Someone paid this firm to “open doors”…
…and they’re knocking on mine.

So if you’re raising, do this instead:

1. Build a clean target list (100+ funds)
2. Get real warm paths (operators, founders, experts)
3. Send thoughtful, specific outreach
4. Give more than you take 
5. Only then ask for potential intros 

Stop paying for “intros.”

Because they don't work. 

Instead, pay with effort. With work. 
Just like the top 1% of founders do.

What do you think of "paid for" intros? 

P.S. Some paid for intros actually can work btw, but ~5% of the people doing it are like that. And you have no way of knowing who is good or bad. Most are spamming like this!

Failed 2 fundraises. Then raised $16M. Now I teach founders everything I wish I’d known. | Ex-Octopus Ventures VC | $250M+ raised with founders | DM “RAISE” to chat

In 2018, I met a seed-stage company that I was excited about. 

The founders had: 

1. Previously built an app with 1 million users
2. Now building a high potential company 
3. Already hired amazing people  

I was hooked with the new company's vision. 

And believed that they had the potential to be truly game-changing. 

In fact, I still do... 

On paper, everything looked great. 

They were:

• Experienced founders
• Building a great product
• Targeting a large market
• And a track record of growth

But then it all came crumbling down. 

Why? 

Because we never actually met the CEO... 

3 meetings down and he kept saying he was too busy. 

How could we invest into a company when we hadn’t even met the leader? 

We decided not to waste our time and rejected the company in the end. 

This is why its so important to make sure its always the CEO conducting the first few meetings. 

Even if you think someone else may be better at telling the story.

♻️ Repost is you think this can be helpful to other founders

-- 
P.S. Wondering if pictures like below are useful or not. Yay or nay on them? 

#entrepreneurship #startups #venturecapital

A “3-week raise” is real. It just starts 3 months earlier.

Because the “fast raise” isn't something that just 𝗽𝗼𝗼𝗳𝘀 out of thin air...

What it usually looks like in the wild:

1. Over 3–6 months, the market starts leaning in.
2. Multiple "random" signals to investors. 
3. Experts telling them you are one to watch. 
4. Other founders mentioning you. 
5. VCs starting to keep you on track. 

Those investors are watching (even if you don’t realize).

They’ve seen enough cycles to know the pattern:

Great founders execute… repeatedly… over time.

So by the time you “start the raise,” you’re not having to introducing yourself.

But instead just giving them a moment to act. 

RIGHT NOW. 

That’s where speed comes from:

𝗙𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆
You’ve been in their orbit long enough that they are starting to believe you can do it. 

𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗳 𝗼𝗳 𝗲𝘅𝗲𝗰𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
They've seen you execute so well they know this is the last chance to invest. 

𝗣𝗿𝗲-𝗲𝗺𝗽𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲
A few investors don’t want to “wait and see” anymore, so they try to get in early.

Then one thing happens that changes everything:

A credible investor moves first.
A first term sheet (or a clear lead signal) hits the table.

And now the dynamic flips:

Now you're "hot" and everyone wants in. 

That’s how a "3-week raise" actually happens:

Not from waking up one day and “running a process.”

But from months (sometimes years) of compounding execution + investor awareness. 

Things you need to be spending every day doing. 

Now if you want to learn what the 5 mistakes every founder makes thats making them fail their fundraises. 

Comment "MISTAKE" and i'll send it over.

My friend had the perfect CV, yet still got zero jobs. 

And it was due to 1 simple reason: 

My friend had everything going for him: 

1. Incredible track record 
2. High-level roles 
3. Clear results

So he assumed getting a job would be easy.

But after 6–7 months of applying online, he had 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨. 

He was burning time, burning savings, burning confidence. 

Why did this happen? 

Because he was applying 𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘥. 

His resume got buried with 200+ others. 
All trying to do the exact same thing. 

Yet when he decided to get respected people to introduce him to hiring managers... 

Everything changed! 

And he was hired within a month. 

Does that sound familiar to you? 

Because founders do the same thing in fundraising. 

You are: 

1. Cold emailing decks
2. Spamming on linkedin dms
3. Submitting through portals…

And wondering why you’re not getting real meetings.

The truth is because its very much like hiring. 

If you aren't leveraging someone else's social capital via warm intros.

Then your pitch deck gets put at the bottom of the pile. 

So don't be like every founder. 

It's not going to work.

How are you making sure you get enough investor meetings? 

P.S. Wanna learn how to get 100+ warm intros consistently in your funding round? Then DM me "NETWORK" and I'll send you more info.

Uplift Consultancy

- VivaVentures: Created pitch materials and financial models for 8 portfolio companies raising Series A/B rounds.

- TechBump: Developed SaaS growth strategy, go-to-market plan and Series A pitch deck to raise $12M.

- Grobio: Wrote grant proposals and business plans to secure $1.3M in government funding for agricultural biotech R&D.

- SmartFresh: Created Grocery delivery service business plan and financial projections for market expansion to 6 new cities.

- Applicate: Developed product launch plan, pitch deck and propose for new fitness/wellness mobile app.

- Zythly: Created game studio investor pitch and $5M seed round financial model for entertainment startup.

- EcoPower Solutions: Wrote business plan and proposals for renewable energy startup launching residential solar leasing program.

- CapSource Financial: Developed detailed credit analysis, financial models, and investor memo for new FinTech lending product.

- GenePath Diagnostics: Created investor marketing materials and grant proposal to fund $2M genetic cancer testing research program.

- Luksura: Provided e-commerce growth plan and Series A pitch materials for sustainable fashion brand's $8M capital raise.

TripGo: Delivered business plan and financial model for travel accommodation platform market expansion across Europe.

Founder and CEO

Allied Grant Writers

- Spearheaded grant writing initiatives at Allied Grant Writers, resulting in a 35% growth in funding acquisition year-over-year.

- Successfully secured over $5 million in federal, local, and individual grants for diverse projects ranging from community development to technological innovation.

- Crafted compelling grant proposals that emphasized project feasibility, sustainability, and impact, leading to a high success rate in competitive funding rounds.

- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to align grant narratives with organizational goals, ensuring a cohesive and persuasive funding request.

- Secured a landmark $2M federal grant for a renewable energy project, leading to a pilot program now adopted in three states.

- Increased grant funding by 50% within the first year through strategic proposal enhancements and targeted funding opportunities.

- Authored a winning $500K grant proposal for a community health initiative, recognized for its innovative approach to wellness.

- Led a workshop series on grant writing best practices, improving the success rate of proposals across the organization.

Program Coordinator

Sunfield Advisors 

• Designed, budgeted, and executed a new online media strategy for client A to diversify the business away from struggling printed material focus.

• Led the ongoing fundraising for client A concerning an angel round of $200,000 and a successful application for a $30,000 grant from startup Chile.

• Prepared for client B: a financial model, equity recapitalization, and pitch decks for $550,000 investment round.

• Planned for client C: an expansion into the US market with a full budget and market segmentation analysis.

• Reengineered for Bizcorps: an internal consulting business model—building a business plan that expanded from one to three lines.

Business Strategy Consultant

Advisor360°

• Led business development and capital raising activities across the entire portfolio.

• Prepareda an investment committee presentation to a bulge-bracket-backed PE firm, which co-sponsored the deal.

• Built a recapitalization model and evaluated restructuring scenarios for a $10 million market cap hybrid-electric vehicle battery manufacturer. 

• Analyzed an acquisition of a lead-acid battery manufacturer for the telecom industry. Performed valuation analysis.

• Executed mergers and acquisitions (M&A) advisory for middle-market companies in the mining, agriculture, and energy sectors.

• Prepared deal committee memoranda and pitch books to describe industry trends and companies’ fundamentals.

• Completed Capital IQ screens for comparable companies and precedent transactions analyses.
Built financial models for middle-market deals.

Investment Performance Analyst

Huge funding raised w/Founders | Crafting stories that raise funding | Helping Startups & Growth Companies With Investor-ready Business Plan, Pitch Deck, Market Research, and Financial Model | Pitch Reviewer @TechCrunch

I’ve always believed that every great idea deserves a chance to succeed. That’s why I founded Uplift Consultancy, to help entrepreneurs, startups, and non-profits secure the funding they need to turn their visions into reality.

Are you struggling to secure funding for your venture? I’m Yusuf Usman, a Funding Strategist & Storyteller with a proven track record of raising over $60M for my clients through compelling pitch decks, business plans, and grant proposals.

I help businesses and organizations like yours by:
- Crafting pitch decks that captivate investors and secure funding.
- Developing business plans that map out your path to success.
- Writing grant proposals that win federal, state, and non-profit funding.
- Creating financial models that demonstrate your potential and attract investors.

My approach combines strategic thinking with powerful storytelling to make your case irresistible.

Here’s what I’ve achieved:
- Raised over $60M in funding for clients across various industries.
- Designed 50+ pitch decks that led to successful investment rounds.
- Secured $5M+ in grants for non-profits and businesses.
- Helped clients win contracts and loans through detailed financial projections.

What my clients say:
- 'Yusuf’s expertise in pitch deck creation was key to our $2M seed round.' - Alex Thompson, CEO of InnovateTech Solutions

- 'His grant writing skills helped us secure a $500K grant that transformed our organization.' - Emily Chen, Executive Director of Community Impact Foundation

- 'Yusuf’s financial modeling was spot on and crucial in closing our $1M deal.' - Michael Patel, Founder of GreenEnergy Ventures

Why Choose Me?
I combine strategic expertise with the power of storytelling to make your case irresistible. Whether you’re a startup chasing venture capital, a non-profit seeking grants, or a business navigating RFPs, I’ve got you covered.

Ready to take your funding efforts to the next level? Let’s connect and discuss how I can help you achieve your funding goals. Message me today!

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The Battle

Gian Seehra

Yusuf Usman

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Gian Seehra's LinkedIn Performance

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