The Truth About How Much Money You Actually Need
The Truth About How Much Money You Actually Need
For aspiring and first-time founders - how to think about bootstrapping, fundraising, and everything in between.
Most first-time founders think the hardest part of fundraising is convincing someone to say yes.
It isn't.
The hardest part is knowing how much you actually need before you ever ask. How to think about your starting number, when bootstrapping beats raising, and what actually gets funded once you do go out for it.
That's what this conversation is about.
Join us for a fireside chat with Yousuf Khan, Founder & CEO of Clario, Five-Time CIO, and Venture Partner at Ridge Ventures, who has sat on both sides of the table: building companies, funding them, and evaluating what makes a raise land or fall flat. He knows what founders get wrong about their number, and what changes once real money's on the table.
Moderated by Benjamin Tu, a serial founder and business operations leader who's built his career as a missional entrepreneur, now working as a startup advisor and coach while building Centerpoint Spaces as a home for founders like the ones in this room.
This isn't a panel or a lecture. It's an honest conversation designed to give first-time and aspiring founders access to the perspective that isn't always available.
Who This Is For
First-time and aspiring founders and entrepreneurs who are actively building or preparing to build — whether you're trying to figure out how much money you actually need, weighing bootstrapping against raising, or getting ready to make your first ask. If you're pursuing something that matters, this room was made for you.
Investors, operators, and founder-adjacent professionals who want to be in a room where real conversations happen — you belong here too.
Light Refreshments
Provided during the evening. Please register so we have enough for everyone.
About Centerpoint Spaces
Centerpoint Spaces is forming a coworking, coffee, and community space coming soon to Silicon Valley - and alongside it, a growing support system for early-stage founders — from first idea to launch — working to demystify early-stage company building through events, programming, and mentorship. Centerpoint has been featured in the SF Standard and on KPIX/CBS News Bay Area.
The Builder's Table is Centerpoint Spaces' ongoing series for founders and marketplace leaders navigating early-stage building. This is Session 04.
Partners & Sponsors
Presented in part by Vectis Forge.
Interested in partnering or sponsoring this or a future session? Reach out at hello@centerpointspaces.com.
"Proximity changes everything."
Free to attend, but seats are limited — reserve yours below.