Founder strategy
Product details
- ISBN 9781394369874
- Weight: 454g
- Dimensions: 155 x 231mm
- Publication Date: 13 Apr 2026
- Publisher: John Wiley & Sons Inc
- Publication City/Country: US
- Product Form: Hardback
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A strategy guide for founders who want to understand—and influence—the behavior of venture capitalists and investors so they can get their companies funded
In Founder Unfriendly, veteran venture capitalist Charlie O’Donnell walks you through what actually happens after you leave a pitch meeting. Based on his own extensive, first-hand experience, O’Donnell provides a clear answer to the question of why so many “mediocre” startups get funded while young companies with brilliant concepts and people get passed over time and time again.
The book skips the endless clichés about “successful founder traits” and recycled startup wisdom and gets right to the heart of why real VCs in the real world fund real companies with real money. It also explains exactly why those same investors say no so often, as well as what it might take to move them from a no to an enthusiastic yes.
Inside the book:
- Granular, specific advice that will transform your pitch deck from a liability into a game changing asset
- Strategies to shape the conversations investors have after you leave the room as they decide whether to fund your venture
- How to change your strategy based on the relative strength and momentum of the sectors you operate in
Perfect for first-time founders trying to get the lay of the VC land, Founder Unfriendly is also a must-read for seasoned entrepreneurs trying to hone their fundraising strategies. It’s packed with proven and practical tools to help you build your company while capturing as much of the resulting value as possible.
CHARLIE O’DONNELL is a renowned venture capitalist known for his early identification of groundbreaking companies, including Twitter and Foursquare. As founder of Brooklyn Bridge Ventures, the first venture fund based in Brooklyn, he has invested in over 100 companies. His two-decade tenure in the New York City startup ecosystem includes pioneering roles as the first analyst at Union Square Ventures and helping establish First Round Capital’s New York office. O’Donnell’s influence in the New York City tech industry has also been widely recognized, earning him a spot on Business Insider’s 100 Most Influential People in NY Tech more than five times. Currently teaching entrepreneurship at NYU’s Courant Institute, O’Donnell has empowered countless founders to successfully navigate the complexities of fundraising and venture capital.
