Making online capital raising mainstream | $2.3B and counting raised by our customers | Raise up to $75M on your terms

DealMaker

**After raising over $200M from top-tier VCs like Greycroft, Fifth Wall, and Maveron, Pacaso made a bold decision: open their cap table to retail investors.**

The result? $72.5M in capital **AND** 17,500+ investor-advocates who now promote their brand, provide market intelligence, and convert at 3x the rate of regular customers.

This isn't just fundraising, it's a competitive advantage. While raising, Pacaso simultaneously built brand awareness, converted customers into superfans, and created a community that strengthens every business metric from CAC to LTV.

In this exclusive conversation, Pacaso CEO Austin Allison and CLO David Willbrand join DealMaker CEO Rebecca Kacaba to reveal why the smartest growth-stage companies are positioning retail capital as a strategic business tool, not just a funding source.

**In this webinar, you'll discover:**

**The Business Case Beyond Capital:** Why retail investors deliver compounding value through customer conversion, brand amplification, market feedback, and loyalty that traditional capital can't match—turning your cap table into a growth engine

**Strategic Capital Advantage:** The concrete business metrics behind 17,500+ retail investors—from higher customer lifetime value to lower acquisition costs to organic brand advocacy—and why this matters more than the money itself

**Brand Building While You Raise:** How Pacaso used their capital campaign to simultaneously increase brand awareness, educate their market, and position themselves as category leaders (proving fundraising and marketing aren't separate activities)

**The Customer-Investor Flywheel:** Why customers who invest become 3-5x more valuable than regular customers, spend more, refer more, and provide strategic insights that inform product development

**Execution Blueprint:** The real timeline, marketing approach, and platform infrastructure behind a $72.5M raise, from deciding on Reg A+ to managing a year-long campaign while maximizing business value

**VC Relationships Strengthened:** Why institutional investors supported (not opposed) the retail raise, and how retail capital actually de-risked the business and validated their market thesis

**Mission Alignment:** How Pacaso applied their democratization philosophy to their own equity and built a community of investor-advocates who evangelize the brand

As Austin puts it: **"The smartest companies are building communities of investor-advocates, not just raising capital. Every dollar raised is also a customer relationship strengthened, a brand ambassador created, and market intelligence gathered."**

Whether you're a VC-backed founder exploring your options or planning your first retail raise, this conversation will show you how to transform capital raising from a financing event into a strategic business advantage that compounds value long after the round closes.


How Pacaso Raised $72.5M from Retail Investors

Join us for an exclusive educational webinar, co-hosted by Bay Angels and DealMaker, built for ambitious entrepreneurs and startup founders ready to raise capital online—strategically and compliantly.

**Date:** July 8th

**Hosts:** Aaron Shafton, Senior Director at DealMaker Securities, Eugene Cofie, Sales Director at DealMaker and Jay Chitnis, Head of Partnerships at Bay Angels

## Why Attend?

Raising capital online opens new doors—but it also comes with new rules. This session breaks down the regulatory frameworks and operational steps founders need to master to run compliant, efficient campaigns in a digital-first world.

## Key Topics Covered:

🛠️ **Understanding the Frameworks:**

**Get clarity on the differences between Reg CF**, **Reg D**, and **Reg A+**—and how to decide which exemption fits your raise.

🚧 **Avoiding Common Pitfalls:**

Learn what compliance challenges trip up most founders and how to steer clear of costly mistakes.

**📈 Compliance from Start to Finish:**

Explore how DealMaker supports you through the entire fundraising journey—from filings to reporting.

**⚖️ Staying Compliant with U.S. Securities Laws:**

Step-by-step guidance on staying within regulatory bounds while maintaining momentum with your raise.

**📋 Post-Raise Reporting Obligations:**

Know what’s expected after the close—so you stay ahead of investor communications and legal requirements.

**🔮 Preparing for What’s Next:**

Insight into upcoming regulatory shifts that could impact how founders raise—and how to stay proactive.

**This session is designed to be interactive—bring your questions and leave with a clear path forward.**

Reserve your spot today and run your next raise with clarity, confidence, and compliance.


Navigating Regulatory Compliance in Digital Raises 

Learn how top robotics founders are using retail capital to power bold growth—without compromising control.

***

**Overview:**

From seed stage to public company, capital should fuel your vision—not limit it.

In this exclusive session, hear from the robotics leaders who refused to follow the standard playbook. They didn’t wait for VC approval or chase elusive institutional rounds. Instead, they tapped into retail capital to scale on their own terms—and turned their communities into a long-term strategic asset.

Whether you’re building the next category-defining robotics company or looking for new ways to fund your roadmap, this conversation will give you a clear look at what’s possible—and how to get there.

***

**What You’ll Learn:**

*   How robotics founders are using Reg CF and Reg A+ to raise tens of millions—while staying true to their mission
*   Why retail investors are more than capital—they’re your advocates, customers, and signal boosters
*   Real stories from companies that scaled *without* compromising ownership or vision
*   How DealMaker powers these raises—from startup to IPO and beyond

***

**Who Should Attend:**

*   Robotics founders and operators planning to raise capital or exploring what's possible
*   Public company leaders exploring new financing options
*   Investors and stakeholders in the robotics ecosystem
*   Anyone curious about how modern capital stacks are built—and why retail belongs in yours

***

**Reserve your spot now!**


Raising Capital in Robotics: Scaling Your Vision on Your Terms

Join us for an exclusive educational webinar, co-hosted by Bay Angels and DealMaker, designed for ambitious entrepreneurs and startup founders looking to scale strategically while maintaining control of their vision.

**Date:** May 29th

**Hosts:** Pete Stubbs, Head of Partnerships and Eugene Cofie, Sales Director at DealMaker and Jay Chitnis, Head of Partnerships at Bay Angels

## Why Attend?

The capital raising landscape is shifting. While private equity and venture capital have long dominated the conversation, more founders are seeking funding paths that offer growth without sacrificing control. This educational session explores alternative fundraising strategies that put founders in the driver’s seat—leveraging technology, regulatory innovation, and new investor access to raise capital on your terms.

## Key Topics Covered:

*   **Keeping Control While Raising Capital:** Learn how online capital platforms empower founders to retain more equity and decision-making power compared to traditional PE or VC funding.
*   **Community and Fan-Based Funding Models:** Explore the trade-offs of raising from many small investors—how to manage expectations, maintain transparency, and turn supporters into long-term advocates.
*   **Investor Alignment Without VC:** Discover strategies to build alignment and trust with investors outside of the traditional venture ecosystem.
*   **Hybrid Fundraising Strategies:** Understand how combining online and offline capital raising can diversify your investor base and improve outcomes—plus best practices for execution.
*   **Cap Table Management at Scale:** Learn tools and tactics for efficiently managing a large group of investors without complicating governance.
*   **Transitioning Your Narrative:** Unpack the messaging shift required when moving from a VC pitch to a direct-to-investor campaign—and how to maintain momentum and credibility throughout.

Bring your questions—this interactive session is designed to equip you with actionable insights and real-world strategies.

**Reserve your spot today and take control of your fundraising future—on your terms.**


Raising Capital with Control: Alternatives to PE and VC Funding

Join us for an exclusive educational webinar, co-hosted by Bay Angels and DealMaker, designed for ambitious entrepreneurs and startup founders looking to scale strategically while maintaining control of their vision.

**Date:** April 22nd

**Hosts:** Pete Stubbs, Head of Partnerships and Eugene Cofie, Sales Director at DealMaker and Jay Chitnis, Head of Partnerships at Bay Angels

## Why Attend?

The investment landscape is evolving rapidly. Traditional fundraising models are giving way to innovative, technology-driven strategies that empower companies to access capital more efficiently than ever before. This educational session explores how online capital raising is transforming industries, unlocking new investor pools, and redefining early-stage investing.

## Key Topics Covered:

*   **The fundamentals of online capital raising:** Understand its origins and strategic advantages.
*   **The shift toward digital capital formation:** Explore why companies are embracing alternatives to traditional funding sources.
*   **Identifying the right fit for your company:** Discover which organizations are achieving success with online capital raising and what factors contribute to their results.
*   **Insights from successful raises:** Uncover proven strategies from companies that have excelled in this approach.

Bring your challenging questions—our interactive Q\&A session welcomes your participation!

Reserve your spot today and transform your fundraising approach—giving your startup the flexibility to grow on your terms.


The Future of Online Capital Raising: Disrupting Traditional Investing

Join DealMaker’s Chief Marketing Officer, **Jon Stidd**, as he moderates a dynamic conversation with some of cleantech’s most innovative leaders:

• **Teague Egan**, Founder & CEO of **EnergyX** ($88M+ raised)

• **Harmen van Kamp**, Co-founder & CEO of **Global Air Cylinder Wheels** ($6.7M raised)

• **Manuel Rendon**, CEO of **Timeplast** ($5.7M raised)

These trailblazers are reshaping the future of energy, sustainability, and materials science, and they’ve each leveraged modern distribution to raise millions directly from their communities powered by DealMaker's tech.

**What you’ll learn:**

• Why cleantech inspires some of the most passionate and engaged communities—from lithium and Tesla enthusiasts to fission fans and beyond.

• How these CEOs went straight to investors, tapping into pre-existing fervent networks to fund their growth.

• Actionable insights into building a capital-raising strategy that connects directly with a massive global audience of cleantech supporters.

Whether you’re a founder, operator, or cleantech enthusiast, this webinar is packed with inspiration and strategies to help you unlock capital in one of the most exciting industries of the decade.


Raising Capital in Cleantech

Join industry leaders for an exclusive look at how successful companies are transforming capital-raising by turning their most passionate supporters into shareholders. This webinar will explore innovative community-driven capital raises, featuring insights from the masterminds behind some of 2024's most successful campaigns, including EnergyX's impressive $75M+ Reg A raise. Learn how leveraging community engagement can enhance funding efforts and foster enduring relationships with brand advocates.

## Key Benefits of Attending

*   **Unlock Community Potential:** Learn how to assess your community’s capacity for a successful capital raise and engage them as true stakeholders in your business.
*   **Proven Marketing Strategies:** Gain insights into multi-channel marketing tactics that effectively build hype, maintain momentum throughout the fundraising process, and convert brand advocates into investors.
*   **Expert PR Tips:** Understand the public relations strategies that drive investor interest and how to leverage them for maximum visibility during your capital raise.
*   **Post-Raise Management:** Discover best practices for managing and nurturing your community after a successful raise, ensuring sustained engagement and loyalty.

Don't miss this chance to learn from top industry speakers who can guide you through the exciting world of community-driven capital-raising. Register today!


How Top Brands  Raise Millions and Turn Their Biggest Fans into Owners

In today’s challenging funding environment, retail capital is not just founder-friendly financing for your business—it’s a brand-building power play that helps you build a robust, engaged community of brand advocates.

 

Join these experts in retail capital raising and brand engagement to learn how to unlock the power of retail for your business.

## **Key Takeaways:**

💼 **The Strategic Advantage of Shareholder Communities**

Discover how integrating shareholders into your brand identity can drive loyalty, engagement, and long-term growth.

 

🤝 **Applying this Strategy to Your Brand**

Gain insights and actionable tips for turning your customers into shareholders, giving your business a significant competitive edge.

 

💡 **Valuable Insights and Proven Strategies for Success + Q\&A**

Learn from industry leaders about the latest trends and effective practices in capital-raising, with real-world examples and success stories.
