08/24/2026
REPOST from our COO, Ian Lipman:
We just crossed our first $2M in capital raised 🥳
I don't want this to read like a victory lap. Looking back at the last year, what stands out most is how much of this we didn't do alone, and how much we're still learning. A few things that have stuck with us:
1. Trust is everything.
We're confident in our models, and the numbers matter. But people didn't wire money because of a pro forma. They did it because they trusted us, or because someone they trusted vouched for us first. That kind of trust can't be shortcut, and we're grateful to the people who extended it to us.
2. Referrals matter more than we expected.
Working within networks of people who already trust each other has been the most efficient, and honestly the most meaningful, way we've grown. Someone opening their network to us is not a small thing, and we try not to treat it like one.
3. Every check has mattered the same amount, regardless of size.
It's easy to assume bigger checks move things forward more. But a $100K commitment has meant just as much to us as a much larger one. The relationship and the belief behind it usually carry more weight than the number itself.
4. Being open has felt more important than being polished.
We try to share updates, numbers, and information freely. Informed investors tend to make better partners. Mostly, we'd rather be judged on substance than presentation.
5. We've had to get honest about who we're really competing with.
Not just other syndicators or family offices. Often it's the S&P 500 and a mutual fund someone can buy in five clicks from their phone. That's humbling. We can't just ask for trust, we have to keep earning a place in someone's portfolio.
6. There's still a lot ahead of us, and plenty more to prove.
Five deals in, we're grateful for the people who took a chance on us early, and we're trying to stay mindful of what that means every step of the way.
What were the biggest lessons you learned in your first raises?
