3 Habits of Highly Effective Founders — and How to Build Them
Resources and tips to raise smarter, build relationships, and stay top-of-mind with investors
Written by Hadiyah Mujhid
Building a startup is hard. Fundraising can feel even harder. But in my experience, founders who raise successfully — especially in tough markets — consistently do three things well:
They communicate. They organize. And they build community.
Here are the 3 core habits I recommend to every founder I work with, along with practical tips and templates to make them stick.
1. Send Monthly Investor Updates
Even before you raise
Why it matters:
Sending investor updates shows you’re thoughtful, consistent, and resilient — three traits investors love. It’s also one of the easiest ways to get help: intros, advice, or even early checks.
If you’re not raising now, updates can plant seeds that pay off later.
What to include:
A 1–2 sentence mission reminder
Recent wins: traction, revenue, team, product
Challenges you’re facing — honesty builds trust
Key metrics (pick 2–3 consistent ones)
Asks: intros, hires, advice
Tools & Templates:
Tip: Use a calendar reminder or AI tool to prompt your update every 30 days. Momentum builds with consistency.
2. Build and Maintain a Smart Investor Pipeline
Why it matters:
The strongest fundraises don’t start with a pitch deck. They start with research. A tailored investor pipeline saves you time, makes intros more effective, and shows that you’ve done your homework.
But here’s the problem: I often see pipelines full of investors that don’t match the startup’s stage, industry, or funding focus — or worse, are no longer investing.
Let’s fix that.
How to Research the Right Investors
Before adding any investor to your list, ask:
Do they invest at my stage? (Pre-seed, Seed, Series A?)
Do they invest in my type of business? (SaaS, consumer, hardware, deep tech?)
Are they still actively investing? (Some funds are closed or paused)
What check sizes do they typically write? (Do they lead rounds?)
What’s their value-add? (Operational support, intros, platform, etc.)
Use these tools:
Crunchbase – filter by stage, industry, location
PitchBook or CB Insights (if you have access)
VC websites + Twitter/LinkedIn – often list portfolio, stage, and recent activity
AngelList – see trends in emerging funds and syndicates
Investor Pipeline Template to Start With:
HBCUvc Investor Pipeline Template (Download or Make A Copy)
Tip: Color-code your list by status or fit. If you’re sharing your spreadsheet to ask for intros, make sure it’s clean, current, and reflects your actual strategy.
3. Host (Mini) Investor Meetups
1–2 times a year is enough
Why it matters:
Investors don’t just back ideas — they back momentum and networks. Hosting a small virtual (or in-person) update call helps build trust, deepen engagement, and spark FOMO when you raise.
What it looks like:
45 - 60 minutes total
10-15 minute product/business update (or demo)
Live Q&A
Optional networking (breakouts or open chat)
Who to invite:
Current investors
Warm leads and “not-yet” investors
Operator-advisors or champions
Potential new investors you’re nurturing
Tip: Investors appreciate founders who treat them as a long-term community — not just a funding source. These touchpoints create that dynamic.
Final Thoughts: The Founder’s Edge Is in the Details
It’s not just about having a great idea. It’s about how you manage your process and relationships.
Founders who:
Send thoughtful updates
Build pipelines with real alignment
Engage investors as collaborators
…tend to get funded, again and again.
