Free template

Fundraising / Series A Gantt Chart Template

Financial Model → Pitch Deck → Outreach → DD → Term Sheet → Close

Use this template free →Browse all templates

What's included

This template comes pre-configured with 3 groups and 17 tasks — ready to customize.

Preparation

6 tasks

Cap Table Cleanup

Financial Model & Metrics Pack

Financial Audit Prep

Pitch Deck & Narrative

Data Room Setup

Board Advisor Recruitment

Investor Process

5 tasks

Investor Outreach (50 targets)

First Meetings & Pitches

Partner Meetings & Deep Dives

Reference Check Coordination

Due Diligence

Close & Deploy

6 tasks

Term Sheet Negotiation

Legal Close & Wire

PR / Media Embargo Planning

Investor Update Cadence Setup

Post-Close Onboarding (Board, Reporting)

Hiring Plan Execution

Why this matters

Fundraising is a full-time job disguised as a side project. Most founders underestimate how consuming the process is: 50+ investor conversations, 10-15 partner meetings, weeks of due diligence, and legal negotiations — all while keeping the company running. The Gantt chart turns this chaos into a structured process with clear phases, deadlines, and dependencies that prevent the round from dragging on for 6 months.

When to choose this template

Use this template when raising a seed round, Series A, or any priced equity round. It covers preparation (financial model, pitch deck, data room), the investor process (outreach, meetings, due diligence), and close (term sheet negotiation, legal, wire). Adjust the timeline based on your round size and market conditions.

Key considerations

Things to plan for before you start.

1Warm introductions convert at 5-10x the rate of cold outreach. Spend 2-3 weeks before launching the process to map your network to your target investor list and line up intros.
2Your data room should be complete before the first meeting, not assembled during due diligence. Investors who have to wait for documents lose interest. Include: financials, cap table, contracts, IP assignments, team bios, customer references.
3A clean cap table is a prerequisite. Messy equity structures (too many small angels, unresolved convertible notes, missing 83(b) elections) are red flags that slow or kill deals.
4Time your fundraise to coincide with positive momentum — a strong quarter, a key customer win, or a product milestone. 'We are raising because we are growing' is a better narrative than 'We are raising because we need money.'
5The standard fundraise timeline is 3-4 months from first meeting to wire. But calendar timing matters — avoid starting in December (holidays), August (summer), or immediately before/after major conferences when investors are distracted.

Pro tips from experienced PMs

Hard-won advice to help you avoid expensive mistakes.

Run a 'practice pitch' circuit with 3-5 investors you are less excited about before meeting your top targets. You will refine your pitch, anticipate tough questions, and build confidence. Just do not burn bridges — these could be future-round investors.

Create urgency by batching your outreach. Reach out to 40-50 investors in a 2-week window so that meetings happen in parallel and you can credibly say 'We have multiple conversations at the partner meeting stage.'

Update your pitch deck based on the questions you get in meetings. If every investor asks about retention, add a retention slide. The deck should evolve weekly during the process.

Have your lawyer review the term sheet within 24 hours of receiving it. Speed signals enthusiasm and prevents the investor from getting cold feet. Pre-negotiate your lawyer's availability.

Track every investor interaction in a simple spreadsheet: firm, partner, intro source, meeting date, stage (intro/first meeting/partner meeting/DD/term sheet), next step, and notes. This is your sales pipeline.

Common pitfalls to avoid

Mistakes that derail projects of this type.

Raising too early — before you have enough traction to command good terms. Each round should be raised from a position of strength, not desperation. If your metrics are flat, raising will be painful and dilutive.

Treating the fundraise as confidential. Your team, advisors, and friendly investors should know you are raising. They are your best source of warm intros and signal. Secrecy helps no one.

Not setting a target close date. Open-ended fundraises drag on and signal that you cannot close. Set an internal deadline (usually 8-10 weeks from first meeting) and communicate it to investors.

Accepting a term sheet without understanding the non-economic terms. Liquidation preferences, anti-dilution provisions, board composition, and protective provisions matter as much as valuation. Get a startup-experienced lawyer, not your uncle's corporate attorney.

Stopping company operations during the fundraise. The company needs to keep hitting milestones while you raise. Designate a 'keep the lights on' leader who runs operations while you focus on investors.

Template at a glance

Everything you need to get started — already wired up.

17

Tasks

3

Milestones

3

Dependencies

2

Brackets

Frequently asked

Is the Fundraising / Series A template free?

Yes. The Fundraising / Series A template is included in GANTT360°'s free plan. Create up to 3 charts for free with PNG export. For editable .pptx export and unlimited charts, upgrade to Pro at €12/month.

Can I customize this template?

Absolutely. Every element is editable — drag bars to change dates, add or remove tasks, rename groups, change colors with your own theme, and adjust milestones. The template is a starting point, not a locked layout.

What formats can I export to?

GANTT360° exports to editable PowerPoint (.pptx) with real shapes (not images), PDF (vector), and PNG. You can also generate a shareable link or embed the chart via iframe.

How many investors should we reach out to?

For a Series A, plan to reach out to 40-60 investors, expect 15-20 first meetings, 5-8 partner meetings, and 1-3 term sheets. Conversion rates vary by market conditions — in a hot market, you might need fewer; in a cold market, you might need 80+ initial conversations.

How long does the legal close take after a term sheet?

Typically 3-6 weeks from signed term sheet to money in the bank. This includes drafting and negotiating the stock purchase agreement, disclosure schedules, legal due diligence, and wire transfer. The most common delays are cap table cleanup issues and unresolved IP assignment questions.

What metrics do Series A investors typically look for?

The bar varies by sector, but common benchmarks: $1M-$2M ARR, 15-20% month-over-month growth, net revenue retention above 110%, reasonable unit economics (LTV/CAC > 3), and a clear path to $10M ARR. For pre-revenue companies, strong engagement metrics and a large addressable market can substitute for revenue.

Simple pricing

Free forever. Pro when you need it.

No credit card on Free. Upgrade when you need editable .pptx, AI, or unlimited charts.

Free

€0forever

✓3 charts
✓PNG export
✓KPI dashboard
✓AI chart creation

Start free

Ready to plan your fundraising / series a?

Start with this template — customize it in minutes. No credit card required.

Start Free — No Credit Card →