Understanding the Three Types of Startup Capital: Dream, Growth, and Idiot

In the world of startups, the stage of your entrepreneurial journey and the resources at your disposal play a critical role in defining what you need and where you can steer your venture. The funding you seek will depend heavily on these factors. In my experience, there are three distinct types of capital that founders typically pursue: Dream Capital, Growth Capital, and what I refer to, in jest, as Idiot Capital.

Dream Capital is sought by those who possess a big idea, a vision that they know harbors immense potential. These are founders who have identified a massive opportunity, conceptualized a solution, and mapped out a revenue strategy. However, their plans are largely theoretical at this stage, and they seek funds to test if they are on the right track.

The capital they receive is usually granted based on their credentials and a proven track record that demonstrates their ability to iterate, pivot, and identify the market fit. At this point, the pitch deck’s relevance is somewhat diminished; the founders’ past accomplishments and their potential to repeat that success are what convince investors.

Peter Thiel, PayPal co-founder, and early Facebook investor, famously said, “A startup messed up at its foundation cannot be fixed.” This quote is particularly apt in this context, underlining the significance of a founder’s credibility in the early stages of a startup.

Growth Capital, on the other hand, is targeted by startups that have evolved beyond the idea stage. These businesses have developed a minimum viable product (MVP), have gained some traction, formed partnerships, and have started to generate revenue. They have something tangible to showcase, and the decision to invest in these startups is based on what they’ve created, the market size, the opportunity, and their capability to take the venture to the next level.

Finally, there’s Idiot Capital. Please note that this term isn’t meant to be derogatory. It refers to the funds that are usually sourced from friends, family, fellow founders, or first-time investors who might not have a comprehensive understanding of the intricacies of startup investment. They tend to make decisions based on arbitrary factors rather than well-defined investment criteria.

Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, once observed, “One of the only ways to get out of a tight box is to invent your way out.” This underscores the idea that even when sourcing what I’ve playfully named Idiot Capital, the ingenuity of a startup founder is what truly matters. After all, the path to success often involves turning every stone, even those that might initially seem to offer little promise.