The article discusses the common reasons why many founders struggle to secure funding for their startups, emphasizing factors such as lack of preparation, unclear value propositions, and inadequate networking. It provides insights into the importance of understanding investor expectations and building relationships to improve fundraising success.

Raising funds before generating revenue is generally discouraged, but certain circumstances may necessitate it, such as capital-intensive businesses, network effect companies, or those facing regulatory requirements. Founders should focus on building a strong team, acquiring users, creating hype, or joining accelerators to attract investors in pre-revenue scenarios, although having revenue is still the most effective strategy for most.