“Start a company,” they said. “It’ll be fun,” they said.

 

 

The truth is, some days it is. Starting a new business is a rollercoaster full of highs, some occasional lows, and a few twists you probably didn’t see coming.

 

One of the biggest hurdles founders face is raising capital. Finding investors and convincing them to put their money into your product or idea is difficult — now more than ever.

 

Here are three reasons why:

1. Market Saturation

In the past, standing out from the crowd wasn’t all that hard. All you needed to get started was an innovative idea, some sales pitch practice, and a few listening ears.

 

Today, if you scroll through LinkedIn or Instagram, it seems like every other post is from a brand new founder with a must-see investment offer.

 

This sort of market saturation can make every opportunity feel disposable. It’s here today and gone tomorrow. Of course, being able to pivot and evolve is important. But it also means the startup ecosystem is heavy with people testing one idea after another to see what will stick.

2. Investor Bandwidth

That sort of saturation has made it even more difficult to build engagement. The influx of ideas and innovation have stretched the bandwidth of investors, who are constantly getting called on.

 

Even the best ideas have competition right now, and technology has only made it easier for new startups to work on similar concepts at the same time. Instead of one company pitching the latest and greatest gadget, investors are seeing dozens.

 

Even worse? The average investor spends about 30 seconds reviewing a new pitch deck. Can you differentiate your company from the competition in half a minute? That’s a big ask.

3. The Actual Close

For anyone who hasn’t raised money, simply getting investors to commit may seem like the biggest obstacle. Everything after that should be a piece of cake, right? If only this were true.

 

Finalizing a funding close can be a series of administrative headaches, regulatory hurdles, and compliance mishaps waiting to happen — especially if your recordkeeping throughout the raise has been anything less than stellar.

 

Due diligence, for founders and investors alike, is crucial. Even seemingly simple steps like forgetting to notify investors when you update your pitch deck is a way to delay your close and jeopardize committed investments.

How to Make Raising Capital Easier

At The Main Stage, we know what it takes to start a company, stand out in a crowded market, and navigate each round of funding with confidence.

 

Spoiler: We built these tools for ourselves before anyone else. Here’s how they can help you.

Story Vault

When traditional pitch decks stopped working, we developed an invite-only platform that helps investors understand your strategic business plan in detail. In the Story Vault, you can include:

• An engaging company narrative
• Dynamic video and imagery
• Convenient access to the latest deal terms and documents

Investor Relationship Management

Building a pipeline of interested investors takes work, but our IRM makes cultivating relationships easier — from prospect to shareholder.

• Advanced analytics that tracks views and interest
• Tailored communication for personal outreach
• Network-wide updates for breaking news and company updates

Data Vault

Fundraising is hard enough without paperwork delays and compliance issues. Our Data Vault secures communication so you can close each round of funding with confidence.

• Docusign integration for in-platform execution
• Protection and storage of all fundraising collateral
• Investor dashboards for mutually executed documents

Together, these tools make up The Main Stage — helping you attract investors, manage relationships, and close deals with confidence.

 

Raising capital is hard work, but it’s easier on The Main Stage.

 

Start your free 30-day trial and see for yourself.