Resources
Useful links for founders.
A short list of guides, tools, programs and books we often point founders to. Bookmark what helps.
01 · Founder toolkit
Fundraising Readiness Checklist
Work through this before your first investor meeting so the process moves faster and you stay in control of it.
Read the guide
Pitch Deck Outline
A simple 12-slide structure that covers what early-stage investors look for, in roughly the order they look for it.
Read the guide
Data Room Checklist
What to have organized and ready to share once an investor wants to dig in.
Read the guide
Investor Update Template
A short monthly format that keeps investors informed and makes it easy for them to help.
Read the guide
02 · Fundraising
The SAFE
Y Combinator’s standard documents for raising early money with a simple agreement for future equity, plus guides to using them.
ycombinator.com
NVCA Model Legal Documents
The industry-standard templates for venture financings, from term sheets to stock purchase agreements.
nvca.org
Carta Classroom
Plain-language guides to cap tables, equity, 409A valuations and fundraising terms.
carta.com
Cooley GO
Free legal guides, document generators and a startup glossary from the law firm Cooley.
cooleygo.com
03 · Legal and formation
Stripe Atlas
Incorporate a Delaware C corp or LLC online, with guidance on banking and taxes.
stripe.com
Clerky
Online legal paperwork for forming a startup, issuing equity and closing SAFEs.
clerky.com
Get an EIN
Apply for your company’s federal employer identification number for free, directly from the IRS.
irs.gov
USPTO Trademarks
Search existing marks and file to protect your company and product names.
uspto.gov
04 · Learning
Startup School
Y Combinator’s free online course and community for founders at every stage.
startupschool.org
Paul Graham’s essays
Decades of essays on startups, fundraising and building things people want.
paulgraham.com
First Round Review
Tactical, long-form articles from operators on hiring, management and go-to-market.
review.firstround.com
Lenny’s Newsletter
Advice on product, growth and careers, drawn from leading product teams.
lennysnewsletter.com
05 · Support and funding
U.S. Small Business Administration
Federal loan programs, contracting resources and guides for planning and running a business.
sba.gov
SCORE
Free, confidential mentoring from experienced business volunteers, in person or online.
score.org
America’s SBDC
Find a nearby Small Business Development Center for no-cost advising and training.
americassbdc.org
SBIR and STTR
America’s Seed Fund: non-dilutive federal research funding for technology startups.
sbir.gov
06 · Recommended reading
Venture Deals
By Brad Feld and Jason Mendelson. The standard guide to term sheets, valuation and how venture deals actually work.
venturedeals.com
The Mom Test
By Rob Fitzpatrick. How to talk to customers and learn whether your idea is any good, even when everyone wants to be nice to you.
momtestbook.com
The Lean Startup
By Eric Ries. Build, measure and learn in short cycles so you find what works before the money runs out.
theleanstartup.com
Zero to One
By Peter Thiel with Blake Masters. An argument for building something genuinely new instead of competing in crowded markets.
penguinrandomhouse.com
The Hard Thing About Hard Things
By Ben Horowitz. Candid lessons on leading a company through crises and the decisions no one prepares you for.
harpercollins.com
High Output Management
By Andrew S. Grove. Intel’s former CEO on management as a craft: meetings, decisions, delegation and performance.
penguinrandomhouse.com
These links go to independent websites. Strategic Street isn’t affiliated with these organizations and doesn’t endorse their products or services. Nothing on this page is legal, tax or investment advice.