1776 to teach startups about that elusive ‘traction’ investors want

When it comes to investors, startups need more than just a good idea to secure funding. Too often, investors ask for startups to return once they’ve gained more “traction.”
Or at least, that’s what 1776 has noticed. And that’s why next week the local incubator will be teaching startups how to set up a fundraising plan and gain the traction investors are looking for.
1776 will host the class at its NoVA campus in Crystal City next Tuesday, Dec. 6. The free, two-hour event is called “Open Class: Attracting Funding and Investors,” and will start at 5:30 p.m.

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Tuesday evening’s keynote speaker will be Eric Koester — Georgetown University professor and founder of downtown D.C. startup studio Kingmaker Labs.
According to the event preview, Koester’s instruction will be targeted at startups seeking angel, seed or Series A investments. For more details, check out 1776’s event description.
The fundraising class is especially prescient considering the sizable funds being raised by several local startups. Over the summer, D.C.-based utility monitoring company Aquicore raised $5 million in Series A funding after a round of $3.75 million from 1776’s seed fund. Then, in October, downtown D.C.’s events planning software company Social Tables raised a $13 million Series B. And McLean’s new venture firm Lavrock Ventures also announced earlier this month that it has raised $20 million for its first fund.
For the latest on how #dctech is innovating the funding process, check out how DCity Smokehouse is using equity crowdfunding for its new location.