---
title: 'Prepare to Fundraise: A new playbook from thoughtbot and Forecastr'
teaser: 'thoughtbot has teamed up with Forecastr to help you with the two most important
  topics to investors: your product-market fit and financial strategy. Learn more
  in our new playbook.'
tags: founder,startup,news,validation
author: Lindsey Christensen
published_on: 2024-04-18
---

What’s the difference between a potential investor saying your early stage idea is “okay, but pass” instead of “I need to get in on that cap table!”? Fundraising is challenging, exciting, time-intensive, and if you’re lucky, the start of your next big phase of work.

While investors all have different investing theses, there are a few core elements of your business plan that will always draw their scrutiny. In today’s investment climate more than ever, they need to feel confident in your vision. A compelling vision starts with your market insights and financial acumen.

At the earliest stage, your product-market fit narrative is more about your plan to get there. Investors want to see thorough market analysis with a clear definition of the target customer and a path to adoption by this market segment.

## Build confidence in your plan by demonstrating a validated business concept

For your financial strategy, you are likely at an inflection point between scrappy self-funding and scaling a business with substantial investment. You need to paint a compelling financial narrative to instill confidence in how you will use investment to increase value and grow returns over time.

## Build a financial model that helps you run the business sustainably

thoughtbot has teamed up with Forecastr to help you. We’ve combined our product and finance superpowers into a step-by-step playbook you can use to improve your chances of funding.

Ready to get started?

[Learn more and download the playbook today!](https://thoughtbot.com/preparing-to-fundraise-playbook)

![A sketch of a playbook diagram supports the description of a new playbook from thoughtbot and Forecastr called "Prepare to Fundraise".](https://images.thoughtbot.com/9ks1lh6bmk35ubtlgjrr3t9xazxx_playbook_social_new.jpg)