tobefunded

ToBeFunded, written as tobefunded, is a term used in startup and investment communities to describe a company, project, or proposal that has not yet secured external funding but is actively seeking it. The phrase signals that funding is expected or planned in the near term and that fundraising is a current priority. It may be used in business plans, investor decks, and crowdfunding campaigns to distinguish between companies that are self-funded or profitable and those that require capital to scale.

Usage and implications: Startups may label themselves tobefunded during seed rounds, Series A discussions, or grant applications. The status often triggers specific expectations from investors, such as milestones, burn rate controls, or defined fundraising timelines. Being tobefunded does not imply a lack of traction; many well-performing ventures operate with a run-rate that necessitates external capital to accelerate growth. Critical considerations include the company's business model, market size, competitive landscape, and readiness of the cap table and term sheets.

Context and variations: Some sources distinguish 'to be funded' as a transient phase before a funding round closes, while others treat it as a planning label used in outreach and PR. The term is more common in informal discussions, incubators, coworking spaces, and startup accelerators than in formal corporate finance. As a result, readers should verify funding status through official disclosures or investor communications.