Why Summer Might Be the Best Time to Raise Capital

When you think of summer, fundraising probably isn’t at the top of your to-do list. Vacations, long weekends, and quieter inboxes tend to dominate this season. But for savvy founders, that lull is actually a hidden opportunity.

Less Noise = More Attention on You

During peak fundraising windows—like January and October—investors are bombarded with pitch decks. According to TechCrunch, some VCs review up to 300 decks per week during those heavy months. Amid that flood, even a great pitch can get lost in the shuffle.

But in the summer? That volume drops. Way down. Data from Carta shows that deal volume in Q3 drops roughly 30% from Q2, according to Carta’s Q3 2022 report

That means less competition—and potentially a much higher chance of your outreach landing with clarity.

If you're thoughtful about how and when you pitch, you can use this seasonal dip to cut through the noise and grab investor attention while others are on pause.

Make the Most of the Quiet Season

Here's what “leveraging the lull” actually looks like:

✅ Send a short, sharp investor update

Even if you’re not raising a full round yet, summer is a perfect time to build momentum. A concise, compelling update can go a long way.

📬 Example:

Subject: Quick Update + Intro Request

Hi [Investor Name],

Hope you're enjoying some summer slowdown. I wanted to share a quick update on [Startup Name]:

• • • Just hit $XXK in MRR (up XX% MoM)
      
      
    • Closed [Notable Partner or Customer]
      
      
    • Kicking off a $500K raise to support growth into [new market or milestone]
      
      

We're speaking with a few strategic investors now and would love your take—or an intro if this reminds you of anyone in your network. Let me know if you'd be open to a quick call this month.

Thanks and enjoy the sunshine,
[Your Name]

🤝 Pitch with empathy—and urgency

Summer’s slower pace doesn’t mean investors aren’t working. It just means they’re being more selective about what gets their attention. Acknowledge the season, but show them why your opportunity can’t wait.

📬 Example:

Hi [Investor Name],

I hope your summer is going well and you’re enjoying some down time.

That said, we’re seeing strong traction at [Startup Name] and decided not to wait:

• • • We just crossed [Key Metric or Milestone]
      
      
    • New pilot with [Customer] is already outperforming expectations
      
      
    • We're opening a round now to keep the momentum going through Q3 and prep for a big fall launch
      
      

Would love to share the story when you're free—happy to make it casual, even just a quick Zoom coffee next week.

Grateful for your time during the summer slowdown.
[Your Name]

Most founders hit pause in the summer. Smart founders use that pause to move ahead. With fewer pitch decks in circulation, your startup has a better chance of standing out. And with many investors still active (just at a more relaxed pace), you can make meaningful connections that set you up for a stronger fall.

Don’t let the heat cool your momentum. Leverage the lull—and get your story in front of the right people while they actually have time to read it.