The Ultimate Guide To Series Funding Rounds

Written by Dave Lavinsky

The Ultimate Guide To Series Funding Rounds

In the business world, there are a series of milestones that companies reach as they grow. One such milestone is series or startup funding rounds. These are investments made by venture capitalists and other investors in return for equity in the company. This funding is essential for companies to grow and scale their operations.

There are multiple types of series funding rounds, each with its own conditions and requirements. The most common rounds are seed, Series A, Series B, and Series C, but some companies also get Series D and Series E funding as well. This guide will cover the different types of series startup funding rounds, when to get them, and how to go about getting them.

 

Seed Funding

Seed funding is the earliest type of series funding for startups. This seed round or seed stage of funding is typically used to finance a company’s business operations and initial costs, such as rent, salaries, and marketing. This type of funding is often given by friends and family, as well as angel investors.

When To Get Seed Funding

You should seek out seed round startup funding when you have a great business idea, market research,  and a prototype of your product or service. It also helps to have a solid business plan and founding team in place. This is often in the early stages of a business and used as a way to gain funding and raise funds from the ground up.

Average Seed Funding Amount

The average seed funding round amount is $500,000 to $3 million. However, some companies have raised as little as a few thousand dollars up to as much as $10 million in seed funding depending on their industry, startup valuation, the product/service they are working to develop, and the investors involved.

How To Get Seed Funding

There are a few ways to go about getting seed round funding. One is to pitch your business to angel investors or venture capital firms. Another option is to participate in startup accelerator programs, which can provide you with venture capital funding as well as mentorship and resources. If you have friends or family that are willing to invest, that is also an option.

Benefits of Seed Funding

There are a number of benefits to seed-funded companies. Perhaps most importantly, it can provide you with the financial resources you need to get your business off the ground. The seed funding round can also help you attract other investors and venture capital financing down the line, as well as attract talented employees who want to work for a company with a strong financial foundation. Additionally, seed funding can help you build credibility with customers and partners, and can give you the boost you need to get your business up and running.

To learn more about seed funding and how to obtain it, check out our ultimate guide on seed funding.

 

Series A Funding

Series A funding is the next stage of series funding for startups. This funding round is typically used to finance a company’s growth, such as hiring new employees, expanding into new markets, and developing new products or services. At this point,  the company should have a proven business strategy and be generating some revenue. Obtaining Series A funding also means that the company will need to get a valuation, which will determine how much equity the potential investors will receive.

When To Get Series A Funding

You should seek out Series A funding when you have a solid business foundation in place and are looking to scale your company’s operations. This funding stage is typically given to companies that have already achieved some traction and are generating revenue. That means that the product/service you offer is in demand, and there is a market for it.

Average Series A Funding Amount

The average Series A startups typically raise anywhere from $2 million to $15 million. However, some companies have raised as much as $30 million. The amount will depend on the company’s industry, product/service, and business model.

How To Get Series A Funding

The most common way that companies get Series A funding is by pitching to venture capital firms or private equity firms. If you have already raised seed funding, your investors may also be willing to provide additional funding at this stage. Some companies also get Series A funding from angel investors.

Benefits of Series A Funding

Series A funding can provide your startup with the boost it needs to get off the ground. With Series A funding, you can hire key employees, invest in marketing and research, and development, and expand your operations. In addition, Series A funding can help you build a strong brand and attract new customers.

To learn more about Series A funding and how to raise it, check out our ultimate guide on series A funding.

 

Series B Funding

Series B funding is the next stage of series funding for startups. This round of funding is typically used to finance a company’s continued growth and expansion, such as opening new offices or expanding into new markets. At this point, the company should have a proven track record of success and be generating significant revenue.

When To Get Series B Funds

You should seek out a Series B funding round when you have a strong business model that is generating revenue and you are looking to scale your company’s operations. This round of funding is typically given to companies that have already achieved some traction and are growing rapidly. Your product should be in high demand, and you should have a solid plan for how to grow your business.

Average Series B Fund Amount

The average company raises Series B funding of between $7-10 million. However, some less established businesses have raised as much as $50 million.

How To Get Series B Funding

The most common way that companies get Series B funding is by pitching to venture capital firms or private equity firms. If you have already raised Series A funding, your investors may also be willing to provide additional funding at this stage. Angel investors are another potential source of Series B funding.

Benefits of Series B Funding

Series B funding is extremely important for startups, as it provides them with the necessary resources to grow their business. With Series B funding, startups can hire new employees, invest in research and development, and expand their marketing efforts. In addition, Series B funding can help startups become more established and well-known in the industry. As a result, Series B funding can be a major catalyst for success.

To learn more about Series B funding and how to raise it, check out our ultimate guide on series B funding.

 

Series C Funding

Series C funding is the final stage of series funding for most startups. This round of funding is typically used to finance a company’s continued growth and expansion, such as opening new offices or expanding into new markets. At this point, the company should have a proven track record of success and be generating significant revenue.

When To Get Series C Funding

You should seek out Series C funding when you have a strong business model that is generating revenue and you are looking to scale your company’s operations. This round of funding is typically given to companies that have already achieved some traction and are growing rapidly. Your product should be in high demand, and you should have a solid plan for how to continue expanding your business.

Average Series C Funding Amount

The average Series C funding amount is usually around $50 million, but some companies have raised as much as $100 million.

How To Get Series C Funding

Your strategy for obtaining Series C funding will be similar to your strategy for obtaining Series B funding. You should pitch to venture capital firms and private equity firms, and your existing investors may also be willing to provide additional funding. However, your existing investors may not be able to provide as much funding as they did at the previous round, so you may need to seek out new investors as well.

Benefits of Series C Funding

Series c funding is a great way for businesses to secure the finances they need to continue growing and expanding. By securing series c funding, businesses can gain access to more resources, which can help them achieve their goals and objectives. Additionally, series c funding can help businesses expand their reach and attract new customers. Ultimately, series c funding can help businesses achieve long-term success.

 

Series D Funding

Most startups stop obtaining series funding at Series C. However, some companies go on to raise Series D funding. This round of funding is typically used to finance a company’s continued growth and expansion, such as opening new offices or expanding into new markets. At this point, the company should have a proven track record of success and be generating significant revenue.

When To Get Series D Funding

The reasons for getting Series D funding are more complicated than in the previous rounds, as this type of funding is not as common. On the positive side, you should seek out Series D funding if your business has identified great opportunities for growth and needs additional capital to take advantage of them. However, many businesses seek out Series D funding when they are not able to meet their targets with Series C funding.  Before deciding whether to seek out Series D funding, you should carefully consider your company’s financial situation and prospects for growth.

Average Series D Funding Amount

The average Series D funding amount is typically anywhere from $50 million to $100 million.

How To Get Series D Funding

The process for getting Series D funding is similar to the process for getting Series C funding, but it may be more difficult as this type of funding is less common. You should pitch to venture capitalists and private equity firms, and your existing investors may also be willing to provide additional funding. However, you may need to seek out new investors as well, as your existing investors may not be able to provide as much funding as they did at the previous round.

Benefits of Series D Funding

Series d funding can provide companies with the necessary resources to expand their operations, hire new personnel, and penetrate new markets. Additionally, series d funding can help companies to improve their product offerings, increase their customer base, and boost their profits. Finally, series d funding can give companies the financial stability they need to grow and succeed.

 

Series E Funding and Beyond

Just as with Series D funding, Series E and any other series beyond this point are less common and more difficult to obtain. However, if your business has identified great opportunities for growth and needs additional capital to take advantage of them, then this type of funding may be right for you.

When To Get Series E Funding

As with Series D, there are two main reasons why companies seek out Series E funding or beyond: either they have identified great opportunities for growth and need additional capital to take advantage of them, or they were not able to meet their targets with the previous round of funding.

Average Series E Funding Amount

Since most companies do not reach Series E or later funding stages, it’s hard to get an exact average value. However, companies that do reach Series E funding typically receive several hundred million dollars. 

How To Get Series E Funding

The process for getting Series E funding is similar to the process for getting Series D funding, but it may be more difficult as this type of funding is less common. You should pitch to venture capitalists and private equity firms, and your existing investors may also be willing to provide additional funding. However, you may need to seek out new investors as well, as your existing investors may not be able to provide as much funding as they did at the previous round.

As promising startup companies grow and expand, they need to raise additional capital through series a, b, and c funding rounds. Each series can provide you with more money to invest in your business and help it grow. Just make sure to carefully consider whether you need the funding and whether you will be able to meet the targets set by the investors.