What does it really take to win a startup pitch competition—or better yet, to secure that first big check from an investor? In this powerful episode of Founders Only, we're joined by Jason Kraus, the founder of Prepare 4 VC and the man behind dozens of successful funding journeys. From building pitch decks that pop to developing founder-market fit that’s impossible to ignore, Jason shares the inside strategies that help early-stage founders go from “maybe” to “yes” in the eyes of investors.

Jason’s journey is anything but ordinary. From selling baseball cards as a kid to launching fintech ventures and now running a virtual accelerator that graduates startup stars, he’s seen what separates the dreamers from the dealmakers. You’ll hear how he transitioned from analyzing pitch decks for Boston Harbor Angels to co-founding EQX Fund—and how he now teaches founders to build not just a strong MVP, but a compelling story that earns trust and funding.