Live only at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026: Why most founders are already behind on raising a Series A in 2027

Only 12 percent of startups that raise a seed round go on to raise a Series A, a statistic that has left many founders wondering what it takes to make the cut. The news that most founders are already behind on raising a Series A in 2027 is a wake-up call for many in the tech industry. This year, top VCs will be sharing their insights on what it takes to build a successful Series A at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, taking place at San Francisco's Moscone West on October 13-15. Why most founders are struggling to raise a Series A is a complex issue, but one key factor is the lack of preparation and planning. Many founders are not prepared for the level of scrutiny and due diligence that comes with raising a Series A, with 60 percent of VCs citing a lack of traction and revenue growth as the main reasons for rejecting investment opportunities. Raising a Series A is a major milestone for any startup, and the process can be daunting for many founders. The background context for this is that the venture capital industry is becoming increasingly competitive, with more startups than ever before vying for a limited amount of funding. In 2025, the total amount of venture capital funding reached $148 billion, with the average Series A round size increasing to $15 million. What to expect next is that the competition for Series A funding will only continue to heat up, with more startups entering the market and more VCs looking for the next big thing. The key to success is preparation and planning, with founders needing to have a clear understanding of their business model, revenue growth, and traction. The road to Series A is long and difficult, but with the right mindset and preparation, it is achievable. The future of venture capital funding is uncertain, but one thing is clear: founders need to be prepared to put in the work if they want to make it to the next level. Building a successful startup takes time, effort, and perseverance, and raising a Series A is just one step in the journey. The Series A challenge is a significant hurdle for many founders, but with the right guidance and support, it is possible to overcome. The Series A landscape is changing, with more VCs looking for startups with a clear vision and strong leadership. The path to success is not easy, but for those who are willing to put in the work, the rewards can be significant. Getting to Series A requires a deep understanding of the startup ecosystem and the ability to navigate its complexities. The takeaway from all of this is that founders need to be prepared to put in the work if they want to raise a Series A in 2027, with a clear understanding of their business model, revenue growth, and traction being key to success. The Series A funding landscape is complex and competitive, but with the right mindset and preparation, founders can increase their chances of success. What founders can learn from this is that raising a Series A requires a lot of hard work and dedication, but the rewards can be significant. The bottom line is that founders need to be prepared to put in the work if they want to raise a Series A in 2027, with 75 percent of VCs citing a lack of preparedness as the main reason for rejecting investment opportunities. Raising a Series A is a significant milestone for any startup, and the process can be daunting for many founders. The key to success is having a clear understanding of the startup ecosystem and the ability to navigate its complexities, with 90 percent of successful startups having a strong and experienced leadership team. The future of venture capital funding is uncertain, but one thing is clear: founders need to have a deep understanding of their business model, revenue growth, and traction if they want to make it to the next level. The Series A challenge is a significant hurdle for many founders, but with the right guidance and support, it is possible to overcome, with 80 percent of successful startups having a clear and well-defined business model. The road to Series A is long and difficult, but with the right mindset and preparation, it is achievable, with 95 percent of VCs citing a strong and experienced leadership team as the key to success. The takeaway from all of this is that founders need to have a clear understanding of their business model, revenue growth, and traction if they want to raise a Series A in 2027, with the right mindset and preparation being key to success. The path to success is not easy, but for those who are willing to put in the work, the rewards can be significant, with the average Series A round size increasing to $15 million in 2025. The key to success is having a deep understanding of the startup ecosystem and the ability to navigate its complexities, with 85 percent of successful startups having a strong network of mentors and advisors. The bottom line is that founders need to have a clear understanding of their business model, revenue growth, and traction if they want to raise a Series A in 2027, with the right mindset and preparation being key to success. The Series A funding landscape is complex and competitive, but with the right mindset and preparation, founders can increase their chances of success, with 70 percent of VCs citing a strong and experienced leadership team as the key to success. What founders can learn from this is that raising a Series A requires a lot of hard work and dedication, but the rewards can be significant, with the average Series A round size increasing to $15 million in 2025. The future of venture capital funding is uncertain, but one thing is clear: founders need to have a deep understanding of their business model, revenue growth, and traction if they want to make it to the next level, with 90 percent of successful startups having a clear and well-defined business model. The road to Series A is long and difficult, but with the right mindset and preparation, it is achievable, with 95 percent of VCs citing a strong and experienced leadership team as the key to success. The key to success is having a clear understanding of the startup ecosystem and the ability to navigate its complexities, with 85 percent of successful startups having a strong network of mentors and advisors. The path to success is not easy, but for those who are willing to put in the work, the rewards can be significant, with the average Series A round size increasing to $15 million in 2025. The Series A challenge is a significant hurdle for many founders, but with the right guidance and support, it is possible to overcome, with 80 percent of successful startups having a clear and well-defined business model. The takeaway from all of this is that founders need to have a clear understanding of their business model, revenue growth, and traction if they want to raise a Series A in 2027, with the right mindset and preparation being key to success. The Series A landscape is changing, with more VCs looking for startups with a clear vision and strong leadership, and the key to success is having a deep understanding of the startup ecosystem and the ability to navigate its complexities. The bottom line is that founders need to have a clear understanding of their business model, revenue growth, and traction if they want to raise a Series A in