Raising Capital with Confidence: What I Learned from VC Powerhouse Haley “Zap” Zapolski

Raising capital can feel confusing and honestly, a little intimidating. Last month, I went to Haley Zapolski’s one-hour crash course on venture capital and walked away with all the insights any new founder needs before diving into their first round of funding.

If you don’t know Haley, known by most as Zap, she’s an absolute force in the VC world. Not only is she a champion for Nashville founders, but she’s also the bridge that connects them to capital, talent, and opportunity. Beyond advising startups, Zap has personally invested in over 20 Nashville-based tech companies. 

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She was actually the first person to introduce me to the world of venture capital back in 2023, and since then, she’s become a mentor - someone who’s let me pick her brain and opened doors to some incredible people.

At her recent event, she broke down the truth about funding and it was eye-opening.

Here’s what I learned: most businesses actually aren’t a fit for VC capital. Since venture funds invest other people’s money, they have their own investors (called LPs) to answer to. That means they’re looking for companies that check some very specific boxes:

• At least a $100M revenue potential,
• A clear vision to exit (typically within ten years),
• A business model the fund understands
• A track record of founder success paired with a strong leadership team that blends technical expertise with powerful sales strategy.

And here’s the big one: VC funds want to see that you’ve got major skin in the game. That’s why so many founders bootstrap, sometimes even up to the seven-figure mark, before ever taking outside capital.

The question that immediately came to mind was, “So how does a first-time founder ever get a shot?”

Zap’s answer shifted my perspective completely. Founders are often the riskiest investors, but also the best ones to have on your side. They’ve built and sold companies before. They understand the grind, the pivots, and the payoffs. So if you’re a new founder, start by connecting with other founders who’ve successfully raised money and exited. They can offer not only mentorship but sometimes even write the first check.

One of Zap’s biggest pieces of advice? Most capital lives outside of Nashville. Get on a plane. Visit the cities where the deals are being made: San Francisco, New York, Austin, or LA, and start building relationships. Even if your first round of meetings doesn’t pan out, every “no” is a step closer to your “yes.”

Each rejection teaches you something new, sharpens your pitch, and brings you closer to the table you’re meant to sit at.

Want to learn more about Nashville Startups? Contact Zap HERE!