How to Raise a Seed Round in 2026: Ask Jason | E2294

Summary

Jason Calacanis answers startup fundraising questions, shares the math behind seed rounds (150 contacts, 50 first meetings, 10-20 second meetings, closing 2 term sheets). He discusses how hardware is no longer a dirty word for investors, the rise of robotics as a service, and how founders can differentiate from frontier AI models. The episode also covers community building, travel anecdotes, and personal opinions on tech leaders like Zuckerberg and Altman.

• Jason provides a seed fundraising funnel: 150 firms contacted, 50 first meetings, 10–20 second meetings, close 2 term sheets.
• He advises founders to study investor behavior and target those who invest at their stage.
• Hardware startups are now viewed favorably by investors as a source of moat.
• Robotics as a service (RaaS) is presented as a future disruptor for labor-intensive jobs.
• Community building efforts include secret group chats, dinners, and live shows.
• Jason criticizes Mark Zuckerberg for prioritizing company growth over user well-being.
• He shares travel experiences in Italy, Greece, and Turkey, noting overcrowding at tourist sites.
• The discussion touches on the value of in-person experiences versus digital documentation.