How Rella Raised $1M Pre-Seed Capital Without a VC Network

The joy of closing your pre-seed funding round is indescribable. But for many founders without an Ivy League network the journey is arduous and painful.

That was the case for Natalie Barbu, founder of Rella, a content creator management platform. She had no network, and zero Fundraising experience.

Natalie’s achievements were all based on Pure hustle. Here's how Natalie Barbu built an investor network from scratch and raised $1 million for Rella.

Start With Startup Accelerator Programs of your College.

Let's be honest, having a network of VCs can be a game-changer. But the lack of connections shouldn't hold you back. Natalie’s journey began by leveraging the resources readily available – her alma mater.

Their entrepreneurship program became her launchpad. She actively participated in their accelerator program, soaking up every workshop and mentorship opportunity. Natalie attended demo days, where investors actively scouted startups and this was a golden ticket. Here, she honed her pitch, practiced her delivery, and most importantly, got in front of the right people.

Send Personalized Cold Investor Emails.

Many scoff at the idea of cold emailing investors, but Natalie embraced it. She meticulously researched VC firms specifically from her state, tailoring personalized emails that introduced her and the innovative solution Rella offered.

Persistence was key. With a staggering 25% response rate she built up valuable connections. Remember, investors get bombarded – standing out is crucial.

Craft a concise email that grabs their attention in the first few lines. Highlight Rella's unique value proposition and what sets us apart.

Employ Social Media, Follow , Like and Comment Often.

As well as cold emailing investors, Natalie targeted outreach on platforms like Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram. Following relevant investors, founders, and industry publications, she actively participated in conversations, shared insightful content, and didn't shy away from sending direct messages (DMs) to initiate connections.

She recommended social media as the ultimate equalizer for founders without a network. Natalie utilized it strategically to connect with potential investors, showcase her expertise, and position herself as an expert within the creator economy space.

Craft a Narrative, a Startup Founder Story that Resonates with VCs

Connections open doors, but investors back people and ideas with high potential. I’ve mentioned this on my social media posts. This is where your story comes in.

Here's how Natalie crafted a compelling narrative that resonated with investors:

The Rella Team – The Engine Room: She showcased the passion, expertise, and ability to navigate challenges. As founders, investors are essentially betting on us to build a billion-dollar business. So Natalie took that knowledge and highlighted her team’s leadership potential, relevant industry experience, and the unique skill sets each team member brought to the table.
Traction Matters, Even Early Signs: Rella wasn't a blank slate. Having a waitlist of content creators eager to use Rella's platform demonstrated market validation. Did they identify a gap in the market and develop a solution creators craved? Sharing these early signs of traction, like beta testers and waitlist sign-ups, speaks volumes.
The Power of the Pitch: A well-structured pitch that clearly communicates Rella's vision, target market, and competitive edge became Natalie’s secret weapon. It was a concise and impactful presentation that told Rella’s story. She ruthlessly refined the deck, ensuring a logical flow that effectively conveyed their message. Delivering the pitch with confidence and a clear understanding of her audience (investors) became second nature.One of the reasons we built Score My Deck was to give founders the ability to iteratively refine their pitch decks without waiting days and weeks for investors to respond.

The Fundraising Timeline - How Long it took Rella

Here's a glimpse into her fundraising journey and the hurdles she faced along the way:

Timeline: It took six months to secure the first investment and a total of nine months to close the round. There was a break in fundraising during June and July due to discouragement.Also to add to the insight here and to give context to why Natalie perhaps felt discouraged, June - August are super quiet months. VC’s are on vacation and most things grind to a halt.

So from someone who’s been through the funding cycle a few times, I thought I’d share some first-hand experience with founders doing it the first time.

Funding Momentum Challenges:

Rejection: As with many founders, Natalie faced constant rejection from investors. This mental battle of staying positive amidst numerous "no's" was a significant challenge.
Building a Network: Lack of connections in the investor world meant Natalie had to hustle to build her network. Cold emailing and leveraging social media like Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram were her primary strategies.
Focus and Refinement: The initial idea for Rella evolved throughout the fundraising process. Being able to demonstrate traction and a strong founding team became crucial to secure investment.

Key Fundraising Takeaways:

Persistence is Key: Fundraising is a marathon, not a sprint. Expect rejection, but don't let it deter you.
Network Building Matters: Building connections with investors takes time and effort. Utilize social media and explore unconventional methods like cold outreach.
Focus on the Team: Early-stage investors often prioritize the founding team's potential and ability to execute the vision.
Traction Helps: While not essential, showcasing customer interest or product usage through waitlists or metrics strengthens your pitch.

Investor Rejection is Inevitable, Embrace the Rollercoaster

Fundraising is an emotional rollercoaster. Rejection is a constant companion, but it shouldn't deter you. Natalie wavered during the summer months but she ultimately stayed focused on her vision. She learned from each interaction, and refined her pitch accordingly. Each "no" was a valuable learning experience. She analyzed the feedback, identified areas for improvement, and didn't hesitate to adapt my pitch based on investor insights.

Conclusion: Closing a $1 Million Pre-Seed round as a Noob.

Building an investor network takes resourcefulness, resilience, and a whole lot of hustle. It's not about who you know, it's about your story, your passion, and your ability to communicate your vision.

By leveraging available resources, embracing unconventional strategies, and crafting a compelling narrative, Natalie Barbu, built an investor network and secured $1,000,000 funding for Rella. She proved that anyone with grit can achieve fundraising success. Start building your network with Score My Deck, and remember, the journey to becoming a Rella success story starts now.