Venture capital is moving again, but it is not the market it was a few years ago. Investment levels have improved, yet investors remain selective because fundraising and liquidity are still constrained.
I help founders and leadership teams raise venture capital by running a disciplined, partner-level process. In this market, outcomes are driven by precision and relationships, not volume.
If you are raising venture capital today, the most important shift to understand is simple. The market has reopened, but it has not loosened.
In the second half of 2026, global venture investment has strengthened and sentiment has improved, yet the fundraising environment remains difficult and liquidity is still uneven. Venture managers have raised relatively limited new capital through the year compared with prior cycles, and exit conditions have not returned to the pace that investors would consider normal. This combination has made investors more selective, more evidence-driven, and more disciplined on valuation and underwriting.
It is best described as a selective recovery. Capital is available, but it is not broadly available. Investors will move quickly when they see clear product demand, credible distribution, and proof that unit economics can become attractive at scale. At the same time, many firms are cautious because liquidity remains constrained and fundraising is still under pressure.
That is why fundraising now rewards process. The teams that win are not just the teams with the best story. They are the teams that can run a partner-level process, anticipate diligence, and move a fund from interest to internal sponsorship to investment committee with speed and structure.
Raising is achievable, but it is more demanding than it used to be, for three reasons:
This is not a no market. It is a show me market.
I run the fundraising process end to end with a focus on decision-makers and momentum. That means targeting the right funds, reaching the right decision-makers, engineering a narrative that stands up under scrutiny, and managing momentum from first meeting through to term sheet and close.
In this market, having the right contacts is not a nice-to-have. It is often the difference between being read and being ignored. Warm introductions and the right partner mapping compress time, improve conversion, and reduce the risk of burning top-tier firms prematurely.
Whether you're raising your first round or preparing for significant scale, I provide stage-appropriate fundraising support.
Used to prove the problem, build an early product, and validate demand signals. Typically supported by angels, operators, and early-stage funds.
Used to establish early traction and early product market fit. Investors look for a clear ideal customer profile, early evidence of adoption, and an initial go-to-market that is working.
Sometimes called pre-Series A. Used when the business is progressing but not yet at Series A metrics. Often used to bridge to repeatable growth signals.
Used to scale what works. Investors expect proof that distribution is repeatable, retention is real, and the business can grow efficiently.
Used to scale revenue, operations, and leadership. More emphasis on predictability, expansion, and efficiency.
Often called growth rounds. Used for acceleration, geographic expansion, and market leadership. Often includes larger funds and sometimes crossover investors.
Used to extend runway to reach a specific milestone, either as a priced round or via a convertible structure.
Used to extend runway with less dilution. Works best for companies with predictable revenue and strong equity support.
Used to provide liquidity to founders, employees, or early investors by selling existing shares. More common as private holding periods have lengthened.
Pre-money valuation is the value of the company before new investment is added. Post-money valuation is the value after the investment is added.
If you raise $2 million at an $8 million pre-money valuation, the post-money valuation is $10 million.
The difference matters because it determines dilution, option pool planning, and cap table dynamics that investors will scrutinise.
Insurance is structurally attractive, but unforgiving. The market is large, recurring, and data-rich, yet regulation, underwriting discipline, and distribution complexity mean investors demand higher credibility earlier.
For insurance and technology businesses, the bar is higher again. I translate complexity into investable clarity and run the process with the structure, pace, and credibility that sophisticated funds expect.
Another dynamic heading into 2026 is reinsurance pricing. Multiple market commentators expect softening and rate decreases in parts of the reinsurance market at 2026 renewals. That can change carrier appetite, budgeting, and how quickly certain technology initiatives are funded.
Not a promise, but a repeatable route to customers
A credible view of loss ratio, claims cost drivers, and expense reduction
Strong data governance and compliance readiness
Solutions that work within real insurer operations rather than trying to replace everything at once
The biggest shift in 2026 is likely to be liquidity pathways. Secondaries are expected to become a more central tool for liquidity, and a growing share of distributions is expected to come through structured secondary solutions such as continuation vehicles.
Mergers and acquisitions also matter, because they create real exits. Recent commentary from major market participants indicates strong M&A momentum heading into 2026, which typically improves investor confidence and helps capital recycle.
Our network spans the world's most active insurtech investment communities. From Silicon Valley venture capitalists to Tokyo-based corporate VCs, from London growth equity to Singapore sovereign wealth funds.
We connect founders with investors who understand insurance.
Insurance is a complex sector. Many generalist investors shy away from insurtech because they don't understand the market dynamics. We help founders identify and engage with investors who have genuine appetite and expertise in the space.
The winning approach is disciplined and simple.
Be precise on who can fund you and why
Target the partner who can sponsor you internally
Use warm introductions wherever possible
Run a structured funnel and follow-up process
Prepare for diligence early and keep the narrative consistent
Tie the raise to clear milestones, not vague ambition
In a selective recovery market, execution is the story. The best raises are not won by sending more emails. They are won by running a better process.
7+
Continents
covered
500+
Investor
relationships
25+
Years insurtech
experience
Let's discuss your fundraising goals and how Lightbulb can help connect you with the right investors.
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