Fundraising Basics

For most high-growth startups, raising external capital is not a choice but a necessity to fuel development, hiring, and market expansion. This process can seem opaque and intimidating to first-time founders. Here are some fundamentals for you to understand as you look at scaling your startup:

Understanding Funding Rounds

Funding rounds are distinct events during which a startup raises capital from investors, typically in exchange for equity, or ownership, in the company.



These rounds are named sequentially (e.g., Seed, Series A, Series B) to signify the company's stage of development and increasing maturity.

With each successive round, the company is generally expected to have achieved significant milestones, be larger, and be less risky, thus commanding a higher valuation and attracting larger amounts of capital.

Our incubation program is designed to provide the comprehensive support that entrepreneurs need to take their businesses and revenues to the next level.

Over the years, the Pactech team has helped incubate more than 150+ startups in Canada. With its rigorous curriculum and network of leading entrepreneurs and business investors, Pactech continues to create diverse opportunities for start-up founders, both locally in Canada and globally.

Pre-Seed/Seed

$50k - $2M

Early capital for idea validation and MVP. Often from angels, accelerators, or bootstrapping.

Series A:

$2M–$15M

For product-market fit and early growth, typically from venture capitalists (VCs).

Series B/C

$10M–$100M+

For scaling, market expansion, and operations.

Later Rounds (D+)

 

For mature companies aiming for IPO or global dominance.

SAFE vs. Convertible Notes: Choosing Your Instrument

In the earliest stages of fundraising (pre-seed and seed), when a company has not yet generated enough traction to undergo a formal valuation, founders often use "convertible securities." These instruments allow a startup to raise capital quickly without setting a specific price per share upfront, delaying that complex negotiation until a later, priced funding round like a Series A. The two most common types are the SAFE and the convertible note.

The critical distinction lies in their legal structure: a convertible note is a form of debt, while a SAFE (Simple Agreement for Future Equity) is not. This fundamental difference has significant implications for both founders and investors.

SAFE

Simple Agreement for Future Equity

A flexible agreement where investors provide capital in exchange for future equity at a discounted rate during the next funding round. No interest or maturity date; simpler and founder-friendly.

Convertible Notes

Debt-Based Instrument

Debt that converts to equity in the next round, with interest (e.g., 4–8%) and a maturity date (1–2 years). Includes a valuation cap or discount. More traditional but can add pressure if not converted.

Capitalization (Cap) Table Essentials

The capitalization table, or "cap table," is the single source of truth for your company's ownership structure. It is a living document, typically a spreadsheet, that meticulously tracks who owns what part of your company, from common and preferred shares to stock options and warrants. For an early-stage startup, maintaining an accurate and up-to-date cap table is not just good housekeeping; it is a critical business function.

Key Components:

Shareholder names,

The type of equity they hold (e.g., common stock, preferred stock),

The number of shares, their resulting percentage ownership, and the price at which shares were issued.

It must also track key programs like:

  • Employee Stock Ownership Plan,

  • Convertible instruments like SAFEs and convertible notes, including their valuation caps and conversion triggers.