Median seed valuation hit $16-18M in 2025 (+18% YoY). Only 9% of seed-funded startups reach Series A within 3 years (down from 22% in 2020). AI startups command 42% valuation premium.
Get startup funding through: (1) Bootstrapping, (2) Friends & Family ($10k-100k), (3) Angels ($25k-100k), (4) VCs ($1M+), (5) Crowdfunding, (6) Grants. 2025/2026 reality: Median seed valuation reached $16-18M (+18% YoY). AI startups command 42% valuation premium. Only 9% of seed-funded startups reach Series A within 3 years (down from 22% in 2020). Series A median pre-money: $49-52M. Investors now require a repeatable, efficient revenue engine—'growth at all costs' is over. Validated ideas increase funding success by 50%.
Key How To Get Startup Funding Takeaways
- Median seed valuation: $16-18M in 2025 (+18% YoY)
- AI startups: 42% valuation premium at seed stage
- Only 9% of seed-funded reach Series A in 3 years (was 22% in 2020)
- Series A median pre-money: $49-52M (record high)
- Series B median: $143-166M, wait time 2.8 years from A
- Seed to Series D now averages ~10 years (+45% since 2022)
How to get startup funding Facts
$16-18M
median seed valuation 2025
Qubit Capital
9%
seed→Series A in 3 years
TheStartupVC
42%
AI valuation premium
Qubit Capital
$49-52M
Series A pre-money median
TheStartupVC
Real-World How To Get Startup Funding Examples
Mailchimp
Built to $12 billion exit without ever taking VC funding. Founders Ben Chestnut and Dan Kurzius bootstrapped for 20 years, maintaining control and building profitably.
Submagic (2024)
AI video tool hit $1M ARR in just 90 days, reaching $8M ARR by October 2024. Proves AI-native products can achieve rapid traction with lean teams.
ARCads.ai (2025)
Scaled to $6M ARR with only 5 employees ($1.2M revenue per employee). Exemplifies capital-efficient AI startup building.
Expert How To Get Startup Funding Insights
"Raise money when you don't need it. It's very hard to raise money when you're desperate."
"Revenue is the best funding. It's non-dilutive, and it proves your business works."