Pre-Seed, Seed & Series A Fundraising

I'm a Fundraising
Specialist.

Expert 1-on-1 coaching for founders raising Pre-seed through Series A, built on coaching over 100 founders and 50+ closed rounds, a YC pedigree, and the inside track on what investors actually want.

Work With Me → See How It Works

Lifted.vc by the numbers

$80M+

Raised by coached founders

100+

Founders coached

Pre-seed

Specialist

Seed

Specialist

Series A

Specialist

"Adam didn't just give me coaching, he gave me a process. One that replaced guesswork with clarity, confidence, and precision." Leni, Pre-Seed Founder & Sprint Alum

How It Works

The three steps to funding.

Good fundraising is built on best practices and knowing the industry's hidden rules. I make sure you walk in the room a seasoned pro, whether you're going for your first check or your Series A.

Phase 1

Prepare

Build your investor target list, sharpen narrative, and get collateral and data room investor-ready so your story feels inevitable.

→ 60+ warm intros queued

Investor target list · Deck narrative · Data room · Warm intro mapping · Connector call strategy

Phase 2

Pitch

Drill your pitch, sharpen investor comms, and build your warm intro pipeline through connector calls. Walk in with confidence.

→ Meetings converting

Pitch drilling · Objection handling · Investor communication templates · Meeting scheduling cadence

Phase 3

Close

Engineer real demand through timeline compression, parallel processes, and soft commitments. Signal momentum at the right moments.

→ Term sheets in hand

Timeline compression · Parallel process management · Soft commitment strategy · Term sheet negotiation

Founder Services

1-on-1 coaching,
built around your raise.

I work with a small number of founders at a time, pre-seed through Series A, so I can go deep on what matters for your specific round, sector, and investors.

Adam Roberts

Your coach · Lifted.vc

1-on-1 Fundraising Coaching

Your dedicated co-pilot for the entire raise, from narrative and deck through close. I work with a small number of founders at a time so I can go deep on what matters: your specific investors, your specific story, your specific round.

→Investor targeting & tiered pipeline build
→Connector call playbook & warm intro strategy
→Collateral guidance + narrative sharpening
→Live pitch practice with real feedback
→FOMO & parallel process management
→Deal dynamics & term sheet coaching

Work With Me →

Free Resource

The Fundraising Playbook

A step-by-step, milestone-gated playbook for running a disciplined fundraise, from building your target list to closing the round. Nine sequential chapters, built from hard-won experience across 100+ founder coaching engagements.

Covers list building, network mapping, lining up 60+ warm intros, preparing materials, pitch practice, activating all intros in a single window, pipeline management, diligence, and closing. Plus a full interactive checklist. Free, no signup required.

Use the Free Playbook →

The 3-Phase System

9 chapters

Phase 1 · Chapter 1

Prepare

Build a qualified target list of 70–120 investors worth pitching.

Phase 2 · Chapters 2–5

Line Up

Map your network, collect 60+ promised warm intros, and drill your materials, all before firing a single intro.

Phase 3 · Chapters 6–9

Execute

Activate every intro in a single 24–48 hour window, manage the pipeline, run diligence, and close the round.

✓

Full Interactive Checklist

Every step across all 9 chapters in one place

About Me

I've been exactly
where you are.

I've founded and sold a YC company, raised from top-tier funds, and spent years on the investor side. I coach from lived experience, not theory.

Adam Roberts

Fundraising Coach · Lifted.vc

Before tech, I spent five years on the USA Sailing Team, racing the 470 class internationally. That's where I learned to prepare obsessively and perform under pressure, habits that translated surprisingly well to fundraising.

My first tech role was as the first sales hire at inDinero, helping them hit $1M ARR (now valued at $1B+). I then founded Paid Labs, went through Y Combinator S2014, and raised from Pear Ventures and Founder Collective before the company was acquired. After the sale, I joined Zinc Technologies (YC) as head of sales, then became an EIR at Wefunder, where I spent my days on the other side of the table and rediscovered what I love: helping founders turn a messy, terrifying process into something methodical and winnable.

That led me to launch Lifted.vc. Since then, I've coached 100+ founders from pre-seed through Series A, helping them raise over $80M in total capital.

My Coaching Philosophy

Coaching done differently.

I built Lifted around the coaching I wished I'd had when I was raising.

Founder-Focused

I've been in your shoes and understand your challenges. My advice comes from the founder perspective, not from an investor or a consultant who's never built.

Unbiased Sounding Board

Honest feedback with no ego or experience bias. I have no problem if you throw my advice in the mental trash bin, I just want you funded.

Tactical + Mental

I provide tactical strategies to get things done AND mental support to navigate the emotional rollercoaster of fundraising. Both matter equally.

Direct

You don't have time to waste. I cut to the chase, focus on what moves the needle, and help you get results, not give you homework you'll never do.

No Equity Taken

I don't take equity in your startup, I want to remain unbiased and solely focused on your fundraising goals.

Engaging by Design

Fundraising can suck, but I make it deliberately enjoyable and interactive. A burnt-out founder is not a funded founder.

What Founders Say

Results speak louder.

From first-time founders to repeat entrepreneurs.

"Adam didn't just give me coaching, he gave me a process. One that replaced guesswork with clarity, confidence, and precision. Other founders kept saying, 'You're raising your pre-seed with the diligence of a Series A.' I shudder to think of the rookie mistakes I would've made without him."

Leni

Pre-Seed Founder · Fundraising Sprint Alum

"10/10. The sprint was extremely helpful to understand the VC game. I wish I had found it even earlier, it would have saved me at least 100 hours and $20K+. They have a unique ability to see the best in participants and help them frame it for a fundraising advantage."

Misha

Fundraising Sprint Alum

"I never ran a process before working with Adam. He made it easy, a lot of work, but the consistent effort paid off in more investor calls than I've ever taken in a 4-week period. My only regret is not having signed up sooner."

Ndonga

Fundraising Sprint Alum

"I highly recommend this program. You'll learn a lot about how to run a tight fundraising process, refine your pitch, and set the right mindset. Adam is an incredible coach who will set you up for success no matter where you're at in your journey."

Mary-Ann

Fundraising Sprint Alum

My Ethos

Everyone deserves
a fair shot at the game.

Good fundraising is built on the industry's hidden rules. I believe those rules shouldn't be hidden. My coaching ethos rests on four principles:

Deep Authenticity

I don't teach you to perform for investors. I help you tell your real story as compellingly as possible, with evidence, precision, and genuine conviction.

ii.

Founder-First Focus

I'm hyper-focused on fundraising. You can get business advice anywhere, but roll-up-your-sleeves, in-the-trenches fundraising help is rare (or cost-prohibitive). That's what I provide.

iii.

A Skill That Compounds

Working with me isn't just about closing this round, it's about learning to fundraise well. It's one of the most critical skills a founder can build, and once you have it, it pays you back for every round, every company, forever.

iv.

Short-Term Goals

Get you funded. That's it. I aspire to be the Y-Combinator of fundraising with fundraising as my relentless wedge.

FAQ

Good questions, straight answers.

From the founders who asked before you.

Do you take equity?

No. I don't take equity in your startup, I want to remain unbiased and solely focused on your fundraising goals, not on the long-term value of your company.

Do you really have a 70% success rate?

Yes. But context matters: I only work with founders I strongly believe can successfully fundraise. I care about my track record and only take on clients I'm confident I can help.

What if I'm not sure I'm ready to fundraise?

Ask me, readiness is complex. Market timing, revenue, product maturity, traction, and long-term funding outlook all factor in. I help you evaluate before you commit.

Can you guarantee success?

No, and be skeptical of anyone who does. Fundraising depends on factors no coach controls: market conditions, your business fundamentals, investor appetite. What I can promise is a process that gives you the best possible shot, and the honesty to tell you when something isn't working.

How much does it cost?

Most of my engagements run around $1k/month on retainer. That said, it's flexible. Sprints, ongoing coaching, and one-off working sessions are priced differently depending on what you need and how involved you want me to be. Reach out and we'll figure out what fits.

What do I get?

It depends on which engagement is the right fit, coaching, a structured sprint, or a focused working session. Each is built around a different stage and need. See the full breakdown in services →

I'm a FundraisingSpecialist.

The three steps to funding.

Prepare

Pitch

Close

1-on-1 coaching,built around your raise.

1-on-1 Fundraising Coaching

The Fundraising Playbook

I've been exactlywhere you are.

Coaching done differently.

Results speak louder.

Everyone deservesa fair shot at the game.

Good questions, straight answers.

Ready to raise?

I'm a Fundraising
Specialist.

1-on-1 coaching,
built around your raise.

I've been exactly
where you are.

Everyone deserves
a fair shot at the game.