Cunningham says raising funds will almost always take more time and labor than you expect, so stay persistent, patient and proactive. One of the greatest challenges of entrepreneurship is raising money for your startup, especially if you don't have an established network of venture capitalists (VCs) to rely on. Dedication and follow-ups: Raising funds requires significant effort and labor. I've said it once already, and I'll say it again: Raising funds will almost always take more time and labor than you expect. Allow ample time for the fundraising process, leverage your founder network, create a compelling pitch deck, and craft personalized outreach messages.

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Persons: Jackson Cunningham, Cunningham, VCs, Dave — we're, I've Organizations: DTC, Founders, Future Equity Locations: VCs