Return-Path: Delivered-To: alvarochf@traceseis.com Received: from cs510.bluehost.com by cs510.bluehost.com with LMTP id aCFnDwnmTmnuuQsAWiBQxw (envelope-from ) for ; Fri, 26 Dec 2025 12:46:17 -0700 Return-path: Envelope-to: alvarochf@traceseis.com Delivery-date: Fri, 26 Dec 2025 12:46:17 -0700 Received: from o1.email.founderinstitute.com ([208.117.53.162]:56254) by cs510.bluehost.com with esmtps (TLS1.3) tls TLS_AES_128_GCM_SHA256 (Exim 4.98.2) (envelope-from ) id 1vZDlR-00000003EGh-0jCq for alvarochf@traceseis.com; Fri, 26 Dec 2025 12:46:17 -0700 DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed; d=founderinstitute.com; h=date:from:subject:mime-version:content-type:content-transfer-encoding: to:cc:content-type:date:from:subject:to; s=s1; bh=uKSCtJ69Y3pM8wEXANxPG3i0rHQK6JPmEe/WMMtGc2I=; b=mN40QL8R9WGens3EEULxPNrZLSt58yBjh7HzLbQzLNuczFzztplO7hXuz5hKmXF8Nhjg +NDEq4qbz36tcu2ETaWaD6rum+Hq4SYKpzZ9Rf1Po27YiAt8sfBEFOhV4hf9A4cAbnn1NZ l9y3iygNZglEF5J+jekZYVSLre0VbN5GeViN2g+7BED3TOovgXVtB8EuSnyQpFdgphoFnS G51SRquyxPoIkbBL6nReda5o4dxJ8Ct/hUetcSkBHb7OyzPsIrzinAwBEzaoBxcho+PTEF SBxj53+5ixBuaWoVqcOTnz5CeG97jGmsAAyw9hn6+Lh5tZxNpfk8HNqL0NtIlP+w== Received: by recvd-6bcd7874db-r6qls with SMTP id recvd-6bcd7874db-r6qls-1-694EE5FE-2D 2025-12-26 19:46:06.261111186 +0000 UTC m=+769148.436511231 Received: from founderinstitute.com (unknown) by geopod-ismtpd-48 (SG) with ESMTP id Lg5TH6YQSX6dwx8aF1Ve1w for ; Fri, 26 Dec 2025 19:46:06.253 +0000 (UTC) Date: Fri, 26 Dec 2025 19:46:06 +0000 (UTC) From: Megan Todd Message-ID: <694ee5fe39739_61fac4a814513@ip-10-0-1-113.mail> Subject: Latest Requirements to Raise Funding + Funding AMA Event Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="--==_mimepart_694ee5fe37bd3_61fac4a81450fa"; charset=UTF-8 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit can-repeat: role-id: 4108883 X-SG-EID: =?us-ascii?Q?u001=2E5po38EEVb979+YLjE0opYwKmW8X=2FNAGreI0a7mLBf2K+CoLroofP8Ypd7?= =?us-ascii?Q?oL0OT2FoOmyERLx5oGaM0R4=2F3vh8R=2Fol2=2Fxr+5Q?= =?us-ascii?Q?+M+WJdU7+jBVji7tX=2F=2FdwjXk=2FEWX1MXgiopFNQ7?= =?us-ascii?Q?tY15srV0cwWWU09iASAyItYLtM+PUtkXLSGwaFx?= =?us-ascii?Q?2eU98q8HD331p9FATtVH0RRkcXu98gnbF6YPl75?= =?us-ascii?Q?5smIoaEBL4OvmnKoIb86OSCuY9xGjB5I2L2QVdg?= =?us-ascii?Q?+sqG?= X-SG-ID: =?us-ascii?Q?u001=2ESdBcvi+Evd=2FbQef8eZF3BpTL9BgbK5wfSJMJGMsmprAS7UBezBaDEFAJX?= =?us-ascii?Q?X3p1UW+9GcDpmc1mWE9BjEceVFBpevFOdrCczI+?= =?us-ascii?Q?qaJaNB29ifYKO2eYtc0ZV846PBILNlIvuxmKNDC?= =?us-ascii?Q?bg0ql80GJWKcM=2F6fq7FeqIJ+zYMQj0xMD8Bg=3D?= To: alvarochf@traceseis.com X-Entity-ID: u001.k787iEHak85aXEbdq+EP3g== ----==_mimepart_694ee5fe37bd3_61fac4a81450fa Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Hi Alvaro, To provide insight on the latest funding metrics and deal terms that we are seeing going in 2026, we just updated our Startup Funding Benchmarks at <a href="http://fi.co/benchmarks">FI.co/benchmarks</a>. In 2025 we have seen more "first-time financings" ("first checks", angel, and pre-seed rounds) than we have seen in many years, but the funding amounts at the earliest stages have slightly dropped as investors continue to demand higher efficiency. More than ever before, investors expect you to do more with less, and want to see a thoughtful plan for how you plan to deploy their capital to reach the metrics needed to unlock your subsequent round of funding. *If you are looking to raise funding in 2026, the upcoming Houston Spring 2026 program is specifically designed to help you build a fundable startup.* Participants will work with over 40 experienced mentors and investors, follow a proven process, and access the Founder Institute's global investor network and venture fund - <a href="http://foundercapital.vc">Founder Capital</a>. Previous Alumni have now raised over $2BN in total funding across 100+ countries. *To inspire and empower you to build a fundable startup in 2026, we are offering Founders who have been accepted into the Houston Spring 2026 Core Program a 25% discount on the Entrance Fee.* *To access the discount, <a href="https://fi.co/join/?code=9vSKQvPCGF&dd=Holiday2516g1">use this link to complete your application or enrollment</a>.* This discount is only valid if you are accepted to the program, and it will expire on Friday, January 9th at 11:59PM PT. Or, if you have questions about the Core Program and want to get more tips on raising funding in 2026, then join our "Startup Funding AMA & Founder Institute Info Session" on Tue Dec 30 at 10AM PT: https://fi.co/startupwebinar/21740. This event will be hosted by Jonathan Greechan, Co-Founder & CEO of the Founder Institute, and GP at Founder Capital (the Founder Institute's global VC fund). We hope you are enjoying the holiday season, and we look forward to helping you make 2026 a success! Sincerely, Founder Institute Houston -- REF: 9vSKQvPCGF ----==_mimepart_694ee5fe37bd3_61fac4a81450fa Content-Type: text/html; charset=utf-8 Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

Hi Alvaro,

To provide insight on the latest funding metrics and deal terms that we = are seeing going in 2026, we just updated our Startup Funding Benchmarks at= FI.co/benchmarks.

In 2025 we have seen more =E2=80=9Cfirst-time financings=E2=80=9D (=E2= =80=9Cfirst checks=E2=80=9D, angel, and pre-seed rounds) than we have seen = in many years, but the funding amounts at the earliest stages have slightly= dropped as investors continue to demand higher efficiency.

More than ever before, investors expect you to do more with less, and wa= nt to see a thoughtful plan for how you plan to deploy their capital to rea= ch the metrics needed to unlock your subsequent round of funding.

If you are looking to raise funding in 2026, the upcoming Housto= n Spring 2026 program is specifically designed to help you build a fundable= startup. Participants will work with over 40 experienced mentors = and investors, follow a proven process, and access the Founder Institute=E2= =80=99s global investor network and venture fund =E2=80=93 Founder Capital. Previous Alumni have now raised over= $2BN in total funding across 100+ countries.

To inspire and empower you to build a fundable startup in 2026, = we are offering Founders who have been accepted into the Houston Spring 202= 6 Core Program a 25% discount on the Entrance Fee.

To access the discount, use this link to complete your application= or enrollment. This discount is only valid if you are accepte= d to the program, and it will expire on Friday, January 9th at 11:59PM PT.<= /p>

Or, if you have questions about the Core Program and want to get more ti= ps on raising funding in 2026, then join our =E2=80=9CStartup Funding AMA & Founder Institute Info Session=E2=80=9D on= Tue Dec 30 at 10AM PT: https://= fi.co/startupwebinar/21740. This event will be hosted by Jonathan Greec= han, Co-Founder & CEO of the Founder Instit= ute, and GP at Founder Capital (the Founder Institute=E2=80=99s global VC f= und).

We hope you are enjoying the holiday season, and we look forward to help= ing you make 2026 a success!

Sincerely,

Founder Institute Houston

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