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Checklist · PPC Tools

PPC Tools fundraising checklist — Step by Step 2026

Fundraising for a PPC tool startup requires a strategic approach. This checklist provides a step-by-step guide to help you navigate the fundraising process effectively, from initial planning to closing the deal. Focus on showcasing your platform's ability to solve critical pain points like bidding inefficiencies, creative fatigue, and cross-channel attribution challenges.

50 checklist items Updated from migrated LaunchTry SEO content

Phase 01

Preparation & Positioning

10 tasks
  • 1.1
    critical2 weeks

    Define your PPC tool's unique value proposition.

    Clearly articulate how your platform addresses specific PPC pain points better than alternatives like Optmyzr or Kenshoo. Focus on quantifiable benefits like increased ROI, reduced CPA, or improved campaign efficiency.

  • 1.2
    critical3 weeks

    Develop a compelling pitch deck.

    Highlight key metrics, market opportunity, and your team's expertise in PPC and adtech. Include case studies demonstrating your tool's impact on ad spend and performance.

  • 1.3
    high1 week

    Research potential investors specializing in adtech.

    Identify VCs and angel investors with a track record of investing in PPC, marketing automation, or analytics companies. Explore firms that have invested in competitors or complementary technologies.

  • 1.4
    critical2 weeks

    Prepare a detailed financial model.

    Project revenue, expenses, and key performance indicators (KPIs) for the next 3-5 years. Include assumptions about user acquisition cost (CAC), customer lifetime value (CLTV), and market growth.

  • 1.5
    medium4 weeks

    Build a strong advisory board.

    Recruit experienced PPC professionals, marketing executives, or adtech entrepreneurs to provide guidance and credibility to your venture.

  • 1.6
    high1 week

    Refine your go-to-market strategy.

    Outline your plan for acquiring customers, including target channels (e.g., Product Hunt, PPC blogs), pricing models (e.g., percentage of spend, subscription), and sales strategies.

  • 1.7
    high6 weeks

    Secure early adopters and beta testers.

    Gather feedback from potential users to refine your product and demonstrate market demand to investors. Focus on performance marketers and agencies.

  • 1.8
    medium1 week

    Prepare a data room.

    Organize all relevant documents, including financial statements, market research reports, customer contracts, and intellectual property information.

  • 1.9
    high1 week

    Practice your pitch.

    Rehearse your presentation and be prepared to answer tough questions about your technology, market, and team.

  • 1.10
    medium4 weeks

    Establish key partnerships.

    Collaborate with complementary technologies or platforms in the PPC ecosystem to expand your reach and offer a more comprehensive solution.

Phase 02

Investor Outreach & Networking

10 tasks
  • 2.1
    high1 week

    Create a targeted investor list.

    Identify VCs and angel investors who have invested in similar companies or have a stated interest in the PPC and marketing technology space.

  • 2.2
    high2 weeks

    Craft personalized outreach emails.

    Tailor your message to each investor, highlighting their specific interests and explaining why your PPC tool is a good fit for their portfolio. Reference their past investments.

  • 2.3
    mediumVaries

    Attend industry events and conferences.

    Network with potential investors and industry experts at events like Ad World, Affiliate Summit, or relevant PPC-focused conferences.

  • 2.4
    highOngoing

    Leverage your network for introductions.

    Ask your advisors, mentors, and other contacts to introduce you to potential investors. Warm introductions are more effective than cold emails.

  • 2.5
    mediumOngoing

    Track your outreach efforts.

    Maintain a spreadsheet or CRM to track your interactions with investors, including dates of contact, feedback received, and next steps.

  • 2.6
    high1 week

    Prepare for initial screening calls.

    Anticipate common questions about your market, technology, and team. Be prepared to concisely articulate your value proposition and competitive advantage.

  • 2.7
    highOngoing

    Follow up promptly with investors.

    Send a thank-you note after each meeting or call, and follow up with any requested information in a timely manner.

  • 2.8
    mediumOngoing

    Seek feedback on your pitch deck.

    Ask investors for feedback on your pitch deck and be open to making revisions based on their suggestions. Iterate on your messaging.

  • 2.9
    high1 week

    Highlight key differentiators against competitors.

    Clearly explain what makes your PPC tool stand out from competitors like Madgicx or Revealbot. Focus on unique features, superior performance, or a more compelling value proposition.

  • 2.10
    criticalOngoing

    Demonstrate traction and growth.

    Showcase key metrics such as user growth, revenue growth, and customer engagement to demonstrate the market demand for your PPC tool.

Phase 03

Due Diligence & Negotiation

10 tasks
  • 3.1
    critical1 week

    Prepare for due diligence.

    Anticipate requests for financial statements, customer data, legal documents, and other information. Have everything organized and readily available.

  • 3.2
    criticalOngoing

    Engage legal counsel.

    Hire an experienced attorney to review term sheets, negotiate legal agreements, and protect your interests throughout the fundraising process.

  • 3.3
    highOngoing

    Respond promptly to investor requests.

    Provide timely and accurate information to investors during the due diligence process. Address any concerns or questions they may have.

  • 3.4
    critical2 weeks

    Negotiate the term sheet.

    Carefully review the term sheet and negotiate key terms such as valuation, ownership, control, and liquidation preferences.

  • 3.5
    high1 week

    Understand investor expectations.

    Clarify investor expectations regarding growth, profitability, and exit strategy. Ensure that your goals are aligned with their expectations.

  • 3.6
    medium2 weeks

    Address intellectual property concerns.

    Ensure that your intellectual property is protected through patents, trademarks, and trade secrets. Address any potential IP issues that investors may raise.

  • 3.7
    high1 week

    Secure customer references.

    Provide investors with access to satisfied customers who can vouch for the value and effectiveness of your PPC tool.

  • 3.8
    medium1 week

    Prepare for background checks.

    Be prepared for investors to conduct background checks on you and your team. Ensure that there are no surprises or red flags.

  • 3.9
    highOngoing

    Maintain open communication.

    Keep investors informed of any significant developments or changes in your business. Maintain open and transparent communication throughout the fundraising process.

  • 3.10
    highOngoing

    Focus on the long-term relationship.

    Remember that fundraising is not just about securing capital. It's also about building a long-term relationship with your investors.

Phase 04

Closing & Post-Funding

10 tasks
  • 4.1
    critical2 weeks

    Finalize legal agreements.

    Work with your attorney to finalize all legal agreements, including the stock purchase agreement, investor rights agreement, and voting agreement.

  • 4.2
    critical1 week

    Transfer funds.

    Coordinate the transfer of funds from investors to your company's bank account.

  • 4.3
    high1 week

    Onboard new investors.

    Introduce new investors to your team, company culture, and strategic goals. Provide them with the information they need to be effective partners.

  • 4.4
    high1 week

    Establish reporting processes.

    Set up regular reporting processes to keep investors informed of your company's progress, financial performance, and key metrics.

  • 4.5
    critical1 week

    Allocate capital effectively.

    Develop a detailed plan for allocating the new capital to key areas such as product development, marketing, and sales. Prioritize initiatives that will drive growth and profitability.

  • 4.6
    highOngoing

    Track key performance indicators (KPIs).

    Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) such as user growth, revenue, and customer acquisition cost (CAC) to measure the effectiveness of your investments.

  • 4.7
    highOngoing

    Communicate transparently with investors.

    Maintain open and transparent communication with investors. Share both successes and challenges, and seek their advice and support when needed.

  • 4.8
    mediumOngoing

    Manage investor relations.

    Develop a proactive investor relations strategy to build strong relationships with your investors and keep them engaged in your company's success.

  • 4.9
    criticalOngoing

    Focus on execution.

    Now that you have secured funding, focus on executing your business plan and delivering on your promises to investors. Prioritize growth and profitability.

  • 4.10
    mediumOngoing

    Prepare for future fundraising rounds.

    Begin planning for future fundraising rounds. Track your progress, build relationships with potential investors, and refine your pitch deck.

Phase 05

Scaling & Growth

10 tasks
  • 5.1
    highOngoing

    Expand your product offering.

    Develop new features and functionalities for your PPC tool to address a wider range of customer needs and expand your market reach. Consider adding support for new platforms or ad formats.

  • 5.2
    criticalOngoing

    Scale your sales and marketing efforts.

    Invest in sales and marketing to acquire new customers and drive revenue growth. Explore new channels, optimize your marketing campaigns, and build a strong sales team.

  • 5.3
    criticalOngoing

    Build a strong team.

    Recruit and retain talented employees in key areas such as engineering, sales, marketing, and customer support. Foster a positive and productive work environment.

  • 5.4
    highOngoing

    Improve customer retention.

    Focus on providing excellent customer service and support to reduce churn and increase customer lifetime value (CLTV). Implement strategies to proactively address customer needs and concerns.

  • 5.5
    mediumOngoing

    Optimize your pricing strategy.

    Continuously evaluate and optimize your pricing strategy to maximize revenue and attract new customers. Consider offering different pricing tiers or packages to meet the needs of different customer segments.

  • 5.6
    mediumOngoing

    Expand internationally.

    Explore opportunities to expand your business into new international markets. Adapt your product and marketing to meet the needs of local customers.

  • 5.7
    highOngoing

    Monitor the competitive landscape.

    Continuously monitor the competitive landscape and identify new threats and opportunities. Stay ahead of the curve by innovating and adapting to changing market conditions.

  • 5.8
    lowOngoing

    Consider strategic acquisitions.

    Explore opportunities to acquire complementary businesses or technologies to accelerate your growth and expand your product offering.

  • 5.9
    mediumOngoing

    Prepare for an exit.

    Begin planning for a potential exit, such as an acquisition or IPO. Work with your advisors to develop a strategy that will maximize value for your shareholders.

  • 5.10
    highOngoing

    Stay focused on your mission.

    Remember your original mission and stay focused on building a successful and impactful company. Prioritize your values and make decisions that are aligned with your long-term goals.

Pro tips

  • Showcase how your PPC tool integrates with popular platforms like Google Ads, Facebook Ads, and other advertising networks to streamline campaign management and reporting.
  • Highlight the ROI your tool provides by demonstrating how it helps users optimize their ad spend, improve conversion rates, and reduce wasted ad spend.
  • Focus on building a strong team with expertise in PPC, data science, and software development to attract investors who value technical competence.
  • Develop a clear and concise pitch deck that articulates your value proposition, target market, and competitive advantage in a compelling manner.
  • Network with industry experts, attend relevant conferences, and seek mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs to gain valuable insights and connections.