Hacks & Hobbies

This episode made me rethink everything I believed about fundraising — not as a sprint for cash, but as a discipline of integrity, patience, and business hygiene. Michael Haskell walks us through two decades of building finance teams across New Zealand, Australia, Singapore and the US — and the exact playbook he uses to help founders raise capital without selling their soul. From the early bootstrap choices to the 1–5M sweet spot and the scary truth about VC term sheets, Michael strips away the noise and gives a clear, humane path: prepare your books, pick investors who add real value, and learn to walk away. If you’re building a business that needs fuel (but not a takeover), this conversation is a masterclass in raising money with confidence. 5 key takeaways Integrity over glamour: investors back founders who show character, persistence, and a clear plan more than flashy slides. Start small and smart: bootstrap or friends & family at seed, then selectively target HNWIs or VCs as your growth justifie