--- title: Bizplan Academy | Funding description: Funding | Bizplan.com | Modern business planning software for entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses --- # BizPlan Academy ## In-depth lessons on business ideation, pitching, and planning [![](https://blog.bizplan.com/hubfs/Bizplan_Academy/Garry_Bizzo-6_mistakes_startup_founders.jpeg)](https://blog.bizplan.com/academy/6-mistakes-startup-founders-make-asking-investor-money) ## [6 Mistakes Startup Founders Make When Asking for Investor Money](https://blog.bizplan.com/academy/6-mistakes-startup-founders-make-asking-investor-money) ![Gary Bizzo](https://blog.bizplan.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Bizplan_Academy/Garry_Bizzo.jpg?width=80&name=Garry_Bizzo.jpg) By [Gary Bizzo](https://blog.bizplan.com/academy/author/gary-bizzo)   May 31, 2017 I recently attended an Angel [investors group in Vancouver](https://www.equities.com/news/vancouver-startup-week-and-the-rise-of-silicon-valley-north). It’s fascinating to hang out with a bunch of zillionaires for the day and listen to startup pitchers trying to wrestle money from them. The [Keuretsu Forum](http://www.k4northwest.com/cpages/homepage) is based in Seattle and with over 2500 accredited investors is the largest investor network in the world. The great thing about Keuretsu investors is that they regularly come to Vancouver to meet with startup entrepreneurs at the Vancouver chapter. They are well known for sharing opportunities with three or more chapters in different cities in order to close a deal. [Read More  ](https://blog.bizplan.com/academy/6-mistakes-startup-founders-make-asking-investor-money) [![](https://blog.bizplan.com/hubfs/Bizplan_Academy/Gary_Bizzo-8_Factors_That_Help.jpg)](https://blog.bizplan.com/academy/8-factors-that-help-you-raise-startup-capital) ## [8 Factors That Help You Raise Startup Capital](https://blog.bizplan.com/academy/8-factors-that-help-you-raise-startup-capital) ![Gary Bizzo](https://blog.bizplan.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Bizplan_Academy/Garry_Bizzo.jpg?width=80&name=Garry_Bizzo.jpg) By [Gary Bizzo](https://blog.bizplan.com/academy/author/gary-bizzo)   May 16, 2017 I’m not saying these are the right ways to think about gathering more resources, but it makes sense to some people to have a cushion. [Read More  ](https://blog.bizplan.com/academy/8-factors-that-help-you-raise-startup-capital) [![](https://blog.bizplan.com/hubfs/Bizplan_Academy/Steve_Blank-10m_Photo.jpg)](https://blog.bizplan.com/academy/the-10-million-photo-and-other-vc-stories) ## [The $10 Million Photo and Other VC Stories](https://blog.bizplan.com/academy/the-10-million-photo-and-other-vc-stories) ![Steve Blank](http://info.zirtual.com/hubfs/Bizplan_Academy/Steve_Blank.jpeg) By [Steve Blank](https://blog.bizplan.com/academy/author/steve-blank)   May 02, 2017 While on vacation I had a phone interview with Kevin Ohannessian of Fast Company who wanted a few “funding stories.”  Here are two of them. Apologies for the rambling stream of consciousness.  The original interview in Fast Company can be seen here. [Read More  ](https://blog.bizplan.com/academy/the-10-million-photo-and-other-vc-stories) [![](http://info.zirtual.com/hubfs/Bizplan_Academy/Steve-Blank_VCsNotYourFriend.jpeg)](https://blog.bizplan.com/academy/vcs-are-not-your-friends-they-are-frenemies) ## [VCs Are Not Your Friends, They're Frenemies](https://blog.bizplan.com/academy/vcs-are-not-your-friends-they-are-frenemies) ![Steve Blank](http://info.zirtual.com/hubfs/Bizplan_Academy/Steve_Blank.jpeg) By [Steve Blank](https://blog.bizplan.com/academy/author/steve-blank)   April 13, 2017 ### Let's Go to Lunch At [Rocket Science](https://steveblank.com/category/rocket-science-games/) our video game company was struggling. [Hubris](https://steveblank.com/2009/07/13/rocket-science-4-the-press-is-our-product/), bad CEO decisions (mine) and a [fundamental lack of understanding](https://steveblank.com/2009/07/16/rocket-science-5-who-needs-domain-experts/) that we were in a “hits-based” entertainment business not in a Silicon Valley technology company were slowly killing us. [Read More  ](https://blog.bizplan.com/academy/vcs-are-not-your-friends-they-are-frenemies) [![](http://info.zirtual.com/hubfs/Bizplan_Academy/Joe_Garza-Elevator_Pitch_Collaboration.jpg)](https://blog.bizplan.com/academy/creating-an-elevator-pitch-that-attracts-investors-customers-and-more) ## [Creating an Elevator Pitch that Attracts Investors, Customers, and More](https://blog.bizplan.com/academy/creating-an-elevator-pitch-that-attracts-investors-customers-and-more) ![Joe Garza](http://info.zirtual.com/hubfs/Joe_Garza_Headshot.jpg) By [Joe Garza](https://blog.bizplan.com/academy/author/joe-garza)   April 10, 2017   [Read More  ](https://blog.bizplan.com/academy/creating-an-elevator-pitch-that-attracts-investors-customers-and-more) [All posts](https://blog.bizplan.com/academy/all)