OpenVC Blog

How to win $100k at Startup Battlefield 2026

Isabelle Johannessen leads Startup Battlefield, TechCrunch’s competition for the world’s most promising early-stage startups. She breaks down what it takes for founders to win the competition, get exposure to 1,000 investors, and pocket the grand prize of $100,000.

Posted by Isabelle Johannessen | April 27, 2026

What Kills Companies Between Seed and Series A: The 18-Month Chasm

Companies raise seed, then drift into an 18-month chasm. This post breaks down the many causes and the one solution to the post-seed collapse.

Posted by Ashton Edmeades | April 27, 2026

10 Best LP Databases for Emerging Fund Managers

Compare the top LP databases for emerging managers.

Posted by Devon Wood | April 23, 2026

The Emerging Manager Fundraising Guide

Learn how emerging fund managers can build an LP targeting strategy, run an efficient pipeline, and raise capital faster.

Posted by Devon Wood | April 22, 2026

Why VCs won't sign your NDA

Should founders ask investors to sign a NDA before sharing their deck. The answer is no. Here are the 6 reasons why, and here's how you can actually protect your startup without a NDA.

Posted by Stéphane Nasser | April 14, 2026

How to secure a lead investor for your startup?

Today, we cover three strategies you can use to secure your lead investor. But before that, let's understand what a lead investor exactly does, and why nobody wants to be one.

Posted by Stéphane Nasser | April 8, 2026

How to Plan & Negotiate Your Startup Exit

I sold my startup for $780M. Here are the insights I wish I had known, read, heard while I was still building.

Posted by Zain Jaffer | March 23, 2026

Are startup accelerators worthless?

Learn which startup accelerators are actually worth it (if any) and what you should expect from them. We'll break down the actual value add for each case, as well as the associated funding and ownership dilution.

Posted by Stéphane Nasser | March 18, 2026

17 Best YC Alternatives for Early-Stage Startups [2026]

Find the best alternatives to Y Combinator. Explore top startup accelerator programs for early-stage founders seeking funding, mentorship, and network access.

Posted by Devon Wood | March 16, 2026