For Founders
Honest, experience-based fundraising advisory for early-stage startups.
I'm Ruslan Gafarov. I've spent the last five years in the startup and venture capital world, working with founders and investors at a top European VC, Digital Space Ventures—a firm whose portfolio includes category-defining companies like Revolut and Paysend.
I advise startups on fundraising on a very selective basis, and this work goes far beyond polishing a pitch deck.
What This Isn't
I'm not here to sell generic startup services or to encourage you just for taking the leap.
My role is to be direct about whether a VC is likely to back your company—and what, if anything, can realistically improve your odds.
What You'll Get
If You Have a Chance
You'll leave with a stronger, clearer deck and a realistic understanding of your position.
If You Don't
I may explain why venture funding isn't viable yet, or why the business needs more fundamental work.
No amount of deck editing can fix a weak business model or an idea that doesn't rank among the most attractive opportunities for venture returns.
This isn't branding, copywriting, or design. You may be about to leave a stable job, or ask people close to you to invest—or you may have already done so.
What you're paying for is judgment shaped by experience.
Why Me?
I've been part of numerous investment discussions, evaluated hundreds of startups, and seen firsthand how a small number of companies stand out from the thousands a VC reviews each year.
I understand how investors think because I've been inside the process—not learning it secondhand from articles or podcasts.
My Approach
I don't assume every startup is just one rewrite away from a successful raise. That mindset wastes time and money.
I treat each company in the context of the broader VC landscape, helping founders understand the real gap between where they are today and the few deals that actually get funded.