# Elevate your investor pitch and fundraise with confidence

Raising a round isn’t easy, but you’re not alone. Experience the difference of fundraising with the world’s best tools, industry data, and experts at your fingertips.

## Getting started

Author: The Carta Team  
Date: January 2026  
Startup funding: A founder’s guide to raising startup capital  
Learn more about the entire startup funding process, including the different types of startup capital, what to expect at each funding stage, and how to prepare for a successful fundraise.

Founder Education  
August 2023  
The ultimate guide to pitch decks for founders  
Prepare for your next fundraise with this guide to pitch decks. Learn the outline of a great pitch deck for investors & download a free template to get started.

Founder Education  
July 2025  
Term sheets  
A term sheet outlines the key terms of a startup investor’s offer. Learn how to read an investor term sheet before your next fundraising round.

Founder Education  
February 2023  
Down rounds  
Understand what a down round means for your company, employees, and investors, and how to do a down round correctly if it's your best option.

## Fundraising 101 video course

VIDEO COURSE  
**Startup Fundraising 101**  
Raising money for your startup is one of a founder's most important jobs. Let our experts give you the roadmap to an easier and more efficient fundraising round.

**Finding product-market fit**  
Learn the different types of pre-seed funding, the investors you'll meet, and the importance of product-market fit.

VIDEO COURSE  
**The pitch deck and funnel process**  
Understand the pitching process and build an efficient fundraising funnel—step-by-step.

## Funding rounds

[**Seed funding: Guide for startups**](https://fund-forecasting@carta.com/learn/startups/fundraising/seed-funding/)

[**Priced rounds: Guide for founders**](https://fund-forecasting@carta.com/learn/startups/fundraising/priced-rounds/)

[**Series A funding**](https://fund-forecasting@carta.com/learn/startups/fundraising/series-a/)

[**Series B funding**](https://fund-forecasting@carta.com/learn/startups/fundraising/series-b/)

## Types of investors

[**Types of investors for your startup**](https://fund-forecasting@carta.com/learn/startups/fundraising/investors/)

[**What is an angel investor?**](https://fund-forecasting@carta.com/learn/startups/fundraising/investors/angel-investors/)

[**Startup accelerators**](https://fund-forecasting@carta.com/learn/startups/fundraising/investors/accelerators/)

## Convertible notes & SAFEs

[**Convertible securities: SAFEs vs. convertible notes**](https://fund-forecasting@carta.com/learn/startups/fundraising/convertible-securities/)

[**Fundraising with SAFEs: Everything you need to know**](https://fund-forecasting@carta.com/learn/startups/fundraising/convertible-securities/safes/)

[**Pre-money vs. post-money SAFEs**](https://fund-forecasting@carta.com/learn/startups/fundraising/convertible-securities/pre-money-vs-post-money-safes/)

## Popular tools

[**Cap table template**](https://fund-forecasting@carta.com/learn/resources/cap-table-template/)

[**Option pool calculator**](https://fund-forecasting@carta.com/learn/resources/option-pool-calculator/)

[**QSBS calculator**](https://fund-forecasting@carta.com/learn/resources/qsbs-calculator/)

[**Pitch deck template**](https://fund-forecasting@carta.com/learn/startups/fundraising/pitch-deck/#startup-pitch-deck-template-examples)