10 YouTube Channels Every Founder (and VC) Should Watch on Fundraising
Let’s be honest—most of us learned more VC mechanics on YouTube than in any finance class.
When I started in venture, I thought fundraising was about term sheets and vibes. Turns out… it's about 3-hour memos, 9-person IC calls, and digging through data rooms with 15 missing folders.
So if you're a founder thinking, “I’ll just wing the pitch and they’ll get it”—please don’t.
Instead, here’s what to do:
Watch these 10 channels. Every single one drops actual, tactical gold.
1. 20VC – Harry Stebbings
The OG. 20 minutes per episode. But it feels like 2 years of insight.
Top VCs break down fund strategy, how decisions are made, what they look for, and how deals get closed.
Must-watch for: Founders prepping to pitch tier-1 funds
👉 Watch it
2. Acquired – Ben & David
This is not a podcast. It’s a masterclass.
They don’t just talk startups—they dissect billion-dollar IPOs and how venture played a role.
Great for: Understanding VC returns, exit dynamics, and real capital strategy
👉 Watch it
3. All-In Podcast
Chamath. Sacks. JCal. Friedberg. Unfiltered, raw, and very real.
They’ve been on both sides—as founders and funders. So the takes are spicy but grounded.
Great for: Founders raising in weird markets. Macro + fundraising perspectives.
👉 Watch it
4. a16z Podcast
Andreessen Horowitz doesn’t do small talk.
They talk deep tech, fund mechanics, and market structure—direct from partners and portfolio leads.
Good for: Founders in frontier tech, fintech, infra, etc. Helps you think like your investor.
👉 Watch it
5. Y Combinator / Startup School
YC literally defined the modern seed round.
Their channel is a founder bible—from pitching to prepping your data room, and building MVP to Series A.
Must for: First-time founders. Doesn’t get more tactical than this.
👉 Watch it
6. The Full Ratchet – Nick Moran
Less hype, more mechanics.
He interviews fund managers, LPs, angels—giving you a rare backroom view of how capital allocators think.
Useful for: Anyone raising from emerging managers or understanding VC fund math
👉 Watch it
7. This Week in Startups – Jason Calacanis
One of the loudest voices in early-stage tech. But he gets into the weeds.
Breaks down deals, rants about bad pitches, and teaches founders how to sell equity like a pro.
Founders: You’ll either love him or hate him. But you’ll learn either way.
👉 Watch it
8. SaaStr – Jason Lemkin
If you’re a SaaS founder and haven’t watched SaaStr… what are you even doing?
Straight-up tactical sessions from VCs and founders about ARR, CAC, GTM, and funding.
Perfect for: B2B startups looking to scale and raise the right way.
👉 Watch it
9. Not Boring – Packy McCormick
Long-form analysis + founder stories + VC guest episodes.
It’s not about the raise. It’s about the story behind the conviction.
Watch this to learn: How to think like a visionary and convince your backers to see what you see.
👉 Watch it
10. Foundr
Beginner-friendly.
They break down how first-time founders went from zero to funded, with actionable steps, templates, and frameworks.
Great for: New founders without a network but full of fire.
👉 Watch it
Note:
Whether you're a VC writing memos or a founder building pitch decks—these channels are not just content. They’re free education.
You don’t need a Harvard MBA to understand fundraising.
You need YouTube, curiosity, and a notebook.
And if you’re serious about this game—binge them. Take notes. Pause. Rewind. Replay.
That’s how you build conviction—on both sides of the table.
Only knew about Y Combinator. Thanks for the other suggestions