How much cash should I keep in my main checking account?

Only what you need for 1-2 months of payroll and operating expenses. The rest should be in a higher-yield, lower-risk account like a money market fund or treasury bills.

What's the biggest mistake founders make after raising?

Hiring too quickly. They scale headcount before validating product-market fit, which massively increases burn and reduces runway without a clear return on that spend.

How often should I update my new investors?

Send a detailed written update once a month. This builds trust and gives you a regular channel to ask for help on specific challenges.

What is an 83(b) election and why does it matter?

It's an IRS form that lets you pay taxes on your founder stock at its current low value. If you don't file within 30 days of receiving the stock, you could face massive tax bills later.

How much cash should I keep in my main checking account?

Only what you need for 1-2 months of payroll and operating expenses. The rest should be in a higher-yield, lower-risk account like a money market fund or treasury bills.

What's the biggest mistake founders make after raising?

Hiring too quickly. They scale headcount before validating product-market fit, which massively increases burn and reduces runway without a clear return on that spend.

How often should I update my new investors?

Send a detailed written update once a month. This builds trust and gives you a regular channel to ask for help on specific challenges.

What is an 83(b) election and why does it matter?

It's an IRS form that lets you pay taxes on your founder stock at its current low value. If you don't file within 30 days of receiving the stock, you could face massive tax bills later.

Post-Funding Guide for Startups: The First 90 Days

The wire hit. Your startup is funded. Here's a tactical guide on what to do in the first 90 days to manage cash, hire smart, and set up for your next round.

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What To Do After Your Startup Gets Funded: The First 90 Days

You've raised the capital. Now the real work begins. Here's the operator's guide to the first 90 days: how to manage the money, who to hire, and the non-obvious traps to avoid.

TL;DR: After closing your funding round, immediately move the cash to a secure, high-yield account. Spend the first 30 days creating an operating budget and defining the first 3 critical hires—don't go on a hiring spree. Establish a monthly investor update cadence and focus on building a sustainable company, not just spending the cash.

Key takeaways

Move your cash immediately. Don't let millions sit in a checking account.
Resist the urge to hire everyone. Define your first three critical roles.
Turn your fundraising deck into a detailed operating plan and budget.
Start a monthly investor update cadence from day one. Ask for help.
File your 83(b) election. The deadline is non-negotiable.
Don't lose urgency. The goal is to become default alive, not just spend the round.

The Money Is In. The Clock Is Ticking.

Congratulations. You raised недоступно. You pulled off what most founders only dream of. The wire hit. Seeing that seven-figure number in your startup’s bank account is a surreal moment. Take 24 hours. Celebrate with your co-founders and the early team who got you here. They earned it.

Now, internalize this: you just traded a slice of your company for a fixed amount of time. The money is not a prize; it’s fuel. How you use it in the next 90 days will disproportionately determine whether you raise a Series A or join the startup graveyard.

This is the operator’s guide to what to do right now. No fluff.

The First 72 Hours: Secure the Capital

Your first moves aren’t strategic, they’re defensive. They protect you from catastrophic, unforced errors.

1. Move the Money

Do not leave millions of dollars in a standard small-business checking account. These accounts often have low FDIC insurance limits (typically 50,000), meaning most of your new capital is uninsured if the bank fails.

Action: Keep only 1-2 months of operating expenses (payroll, rent, software) in your primary checking account. Wire the rest into a safer vehicle.
Options: Modern startup banking platforms offer treasury management services. With a few clicks, you can move capital into low-risk, high-yield accounts like money market funds or US Treasury bills. This is not optional.

A common setup: 50k in a primary checking account for immediate expenses. The rest of the capital is swept into a treasury account holding T-bills, earning a modest yield while being fully backed by the US government.

2. Confirm Receipt and File Your 83(b)

Your investors are waiting for confirmation. Send a simple email letting them know the wire has been received. This simple courtesy starts the relationship on the right foot.

More importantly, this is your final reminder: have you and all new employees with stock grants filed an 83(b) election? You have 30 days from the grant date to file with the IRS. If you miss this deadline, the tax consequences can be devastating down the line. There are no extensions. Consult your lawyer immediately if you are unsure about this.

The First 30 Days: Calibrate Your Operating Plan

Continue reading the full guide