In this clip, Andrew Kiguel calls out one of the most common and costly mistakes founders make when raising capital: overvaluing themselves. He explains that he has seen many strong businesses and promising deals fall apart, not because the idea was bad, but because the structure was misaligned and driven by ego.
When founders take too much for themselves or create terms that don’t fairly reward investors, it breaks trust before the partnership even begins. Andrew points out that greed and hubris can quietly creep in, especially when there’s momentum or excitement around a deal. But capital markets tend to correct these imbalances over time, and those mistakes eventually catch up.
The takeaway is simple but critical. Fundraising is not just about getting money. It’s about building a structure where everyone is aligned to win. The founders who understand that tend to close better deals and build stronger long-term partnerships.
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