Swire IQ · Research Initiative

What really works when raising early-stage capital?

Swire IQ, the research arm of Swire Consulting Group, is running a global study to understand which fundraising strategies actually drive successful early-stage rounds — and where common assumptions are wrong.

Success vs failed raises Warm intros vs cold outreach Time to close What investors really value

Why participate? The survey takes 3–4 minutes. In return, we’ll share a concise summary of the findings so you can benchmark your experience against other founders and investors.

Responses are analysed in aggregate. We will never publish identifiable details about you or your company without your explicit permission.

Take part in the Swire IQ study

Please answer based on your most recent early-stage fundraising round (whether or not it closed successfully).

About you

I am responding as a: Country of HQ

Company snapshot

Sector Stage at time of raise

Team size at the time

The raise

Round type

Target raise amount Outcome vs target

Time spent fundraising Number of investors contacted

Fundraising channels used

Tick all that you used meaningfully in this round.

Warm introductions Cold email LinkedIn outreach VC / investor portals Pitch events / demo days Accelerator programmes Advisor-led outreach Other

Channel effectiveness (0–5)

0 = didn’t use, 1 = not effective, 5 = extremely effective.

Warm introductions Cold outreach

Events / demo days VC / investor portals

Advisor-led outreach Accelerator programmes

What mattered most (1–5)

1 = not important, 5 = critical.

Traction / metrics Team & background

Market size / opportunity Pitch deck quality

Network / introductions Terms & valuation

Expectations vs reality

Confidence before starting Difficulty vs expectations

Follow-up (optional)

Email (to receive the results summary) Additional notes (optional)

By submitting this form you agree that your responses may be used in aggregated, anonymised analysis by Swire Consulting Group Intelligence (Swire IQ). We will never publish identifiable company or personal details without your explicit permission.