Raising venture capital funding can be a risky business if you aren’t realistic about what to expect.

TechRepublic Premium presents five things to think about if you are considering raising your first round. The article includes advice from Mark Casady, Founder & General Partner at Vestigo Ventures and Board Member of Mass Fintech Hub.

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The VC investment process is a complicated one, and potential companies are vetted thoroughly before they are committed. But just because your company is backed by a major venture capitalist, you aren’t guaranteed success.

Casady explains, “Over 65% of startups fail in their first decade. Understand the odds are against you, but optimism and resilience will take you far. To come out on the other side, learn to embrace the art of listening. Pay close attention to the feedback from your target clients; their insights are invaluable. Similarly, heed the advice of a venture capitalist, particularly regarding their assumptions — challenge and test them rigorously. Feedback is a gift; accept it graciously and use it as a tool for learning and growth. By adopting this approach, you can significantly improve your chances of defying the odds.”

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TIME SAVED: Crafting this content required 14 hours of dedicated writing, editing and research.