Key Takeaways

With venture capital harder to access in 2025, founders are turning to alternative funding options like convertible notes, crowdfunding and early profitability.

This article breaks down seven practical, founder-friendly ways to raise capital without relying on traditional VC funding.

Raising venture capital isn’t what it used to be. According to Carta , just 5,743 new investments closed in 2024, down 7% from the year prior and the lowest number since 2018. Add to that a 46% annual drop in new venture funds raised in the U.S., and the message is clear: the VC landscape is shifting fast.

For early-stage entrepreneurs, that means one thing: capital is harder to access and investors are far more selective.

To land a deal today, startups need a longer track record, real p

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