Top 10 Fundraising Tips for VC Fund Managers 💡

⏰ Read time: 5 min

Raising a fund is no joke.

It’s harder than raising for a startup.

Why?

Startups can show progress—prototypes, traction, proof of concept. Wannabe fund managers? You’ve got a pitch deck and a dream.

Having raised with Climentum Capital, I’ve picked up lessons the hard way.

Here are 10 fundraising tips to save you from endless faceplants and sleepless nights 👇

1. Build an Execution Team, Not Just a Fundraising Team

Most VC teams over-index on fundraising. That’s a huge mistake 💣

Fundraising alone doesn’t win the long game. Deals do.

✅ You need operators, not just talkers.

✅ Entrepreneurs who’ve been there.

✅ Diligence hounds to vet killer opportunities.

✅ Hunters to track down the best deals before anyone else.

Fundraising ≠ VC success. Execution does. 🎯

2. Dare More. Way More.

Here’s an uncomfortable truth: Most funds play it way too safe.

Especially in Europe.

Founders know it, and now I can confirm it from the other side.

The result? Endless investments in SaaS while we ignore harder, riskier, but game-changing bets.

VCs exist to bet on the future—not optimize for the present.

3. Truly Differentiate. Or Get Left Behind.

Be real: the world doesn’t need another generalist fund.

If your pitch sounds like everyone else’s, LPs are going to swipe left.

How to stand out:

• Own your niche.

• Build a category of one.

• Become famous for your unique value.

• Deliver something no other fund can.

Whether it’s your deal flow, thesis, content, or network—be different. Or be forgotten.

4. Shrink Your Fund. Launch Faster.

The days of $150M 1st time funds with champagne ambitions are over

Here’s why smaller funds win:

✅ Easier to build a track record.

✅ Faster decision-making.

✅ Higher potential returns.

✅ More flexibility in today’s cautious market.

Lean and mean > Bloated and stalled.

5. LP Relationships Are Everything

It takes years to build trust with anchor LPs.

The advice? Stop chasing shiny new leads.

Spend 80% of your energy:

✅ Building proximity with LPs who get your vision.

✅ Sharing your pipeline, thesis, and early wins.

✅ Proving you’re thinking like an elite fund manager.

Focus on deep relationships—not scattered outreach.

6. Start with HNWIs. Forget Institutional Checks (For Now).

Big $10M institutional checks are tempting. But they’re a trap for first-time fund managers.

Why? Institutions want you to prove yourself first.

High-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) are different. They invest in YOU:

• They love the story you’re selling.

• They buy into your vision.

• They want to be part of something cool.

Start here. Build your base. Secure your first millions.

7. Build a STRONG, Differentiated Brand

Here’s the irony: VCs love flashy brands… but rarely invest in their own.

Newsflash: LPs are humans. They’re influenced by brands, too 🌟

If your brand isn’t polished, visible, and sharp, you’re losing deals before they even start.

8. Marketing Is Your Secret Weapon

Peter Drucker said it best:

“The business world has two—and only two—basic functions: marketing and innovation.”

Most VCs focus on innovation and ignore marketing. Big mistake.

What to do:

• Build a killer visual identity.

• Launch a blog, podcast, or newsletter.

• Dominate LinkedIn.

• Get press.

If LPs and founders don’t hear about you?

You. Don’t. Exist.

9. Hustle Like You’re Bootstrapping

Smaller funds = smaller management fees.

You’ll be tight on budget. So bootstrap like hell 💪

For me, that meant:

• Building my own website.

• Learning EU law.

• Mastering content.

• Perfecting our VC tech stack.

Level up. Adapt. Repeat.

10. Find a Legal Partner Who Shares the Risk

Legal bills will wreck you at first close. $200-500K isn’t unheard of 💰

Here’s the move:

• Find a good, long-term legal partner.

• Propose a risk-sharing agreement:

👨⚖️ They waive fees until first close. 👩💼 You guarantee they’ll get all your future deal flow for the next 10+ years.

Lawyers in VC understand risk. Play the long game together.

The Hard Truth

Raising a VC fund is brutal.

The challenge? Your fund doesn’t really exist until that first close.

But if you:

• Differentiate boldly

• Hustle relentlessly

• Build deep LP relationships

…you’ll cross the finish line.

Last month, I launched the Pro Subscription. Here’s why? 👀

My goal for 2025? To help you:

✅ Optimize your startup or fund

✅ Remove barriers to success

✅ Save time and close faster

With a Pro Subscription, you’ll unlock full access to my exclusive resources, including:

📌 The Ultimate Investor Toolkit 2025 🤑. Everything You Need to Crack the VC Investing Game

🥇 The Ultimate Notion Data Room Template. A complete system to power your fundraising game, organized in Notion for maximum efficiency.

🔖 50 Pitch Decks That Raised Billions in Funding 🚀 Proven Winners You Can Learn From

🚀 The Only Startup Fundraising Guide You’ll Ever Need. Save time, close faster, and level up your fundraising game.

🌟 The VC Fund Manager’s Bible. Everything You Need to Build, Raise, and Scale a Game-Changing Fund