Venture Capital Fundraising

Raising Capital in 2026 and 2027

Venture capital is moving again, but it is not the market it was a few years ago. Investment levels have improved, yet investors remain selective because fundraising and liquidity are still constrained.

I help founders and leadership teams raise venture capital by running a disciplined, partner-level process. In this market, outcomes are driven by precision and relationships, not volume.

25+
Years Insurance Expertise
7+
Continents Covered
500+
Investor Relationships

What the market looks like

If you are raising venture capital today, the most important shift to understand is simple. The market has reopened, but it has not loosened.

Is this a bull market or a bear market?

It is best described as a selective recovery. Capital is available, but it is not broadly available. Investors will move quickly when they see clear product demand, credible distribution, and proof that unit economics can become attractive at scale.

That is why fundraising now rewards process. The teams that win are not just the teams with the best story. They are the teams that can run a partner-level process, anticipate diligence, and move a fund from interest to internal sponsorship to investment committee with speed and structure.

Why raising money feels harder now

Raising is achievable, but it is more demanding than it used to be, for three reasons:

  • Liquidity remains constrained, so investors are cautious about how and where they deploy.
  • Fundraising is still challenging, so many funds are selective and concentrate capital into their strongest convictions.
  • Diligence is deeper. Investors want proof, not projections.

This is not a no market. It is a show me market.

The process

What I do in a raise

I run the fundraising process end to end with a focus on decision-makers and momentum. That means targeting the right funds, reaching the right decision-makers, engineering a narrative that stands up under scrutiny, and managing momentum from first meeting through to term sheet and close.

In this market, having the right contacts is not a nice-to-have. It is often the difference between being read and being ignored. Warm introductions and the right partner mapping compress time, improve conversion, and reduce the risk of burning top-tier firms prematurely.

End-to-end fundraising support

  • Map the investor universe by cheque size, thesis, geography, stage, and probability of sponsorship
  • Build a partner-level outreach plan, prioritising warm introductions and credible routes in
  • Sharpen the narrative so it stands up under diligence, with a clear use of funds and measurable milestones
  • Manage the funnel, follow-up discipline, and progression through first meeting, partner meeting, diligence, term sheet, and close

How to raise successfully in this market

The winning approach is disciplined and simple.

1

Be precise on who can fund you and why

2

Target the partner who can sponsor you internally

3

Use warm introductions wherever possible

4

Run a structured funnel and follow-up process

5

Prepare for diligence early and keep the narrative consistent

6

Tie the raise to clear milestones, not vague ambition

In a selective recovery market, execution is the story. The best raises are not won by sending more emails. They are won by running a better process.

Early-stage capital

The Lightbulb Nurturing Fund

For founders building in insurance and technology, the earliest stages are often the hardest. You have conviction, early signals, and a clear vision, but you need capital and expertise to reach the milestones that institutional investors require.

The Lightbulb Nurturing Fund exists to back exceptional founders at this stage. We provide early capital alongside hands-on support, helping you build the traction and narrative that unlocks your next round.

This is not passive investment. When we back a company through the Nurturing Fund, we work closely with founders to sharpen positioning, build investor relationships, and prepare for the fundraising process ahead.

What the Nurturing Fund provides

  • Early-stage capital to reach key milestones
  • Deep insurance and technology expertise from day one
  • Access to our global investor network when you are ready
  • Warm introductions to carriers, partners, and customers
  • Full fundraising support for subsequent rounds
Global investor connections

From the West Coast of the US to Japan

Our network spans the world's most active insurtech investment communities. From Silicon Valley venture capitalists to Tokyo-based corporate VCs, from London growth equity to Singapore sovereign wealth funds.

We connect founders with investors who understand insurance.

Investor relationships

  • US venture capital
  • European growth equity investors
  • Insurance corporate venture arms
  • Middle Eastern and Asian strategic investment houses
  • State funds and family offices

Ready to raise your next round?

Let's discuss your fundraising goals and how Lightbulb can help connect you with the right investors.

Schedule a Conversation