Episode 443 of The VentureFizz Podcast features Allison Byers, Founder & CEO of Scroobious.
There is a lot that goes into raising venture capital. You have to have the right idea, market size, traction, and it’s incredibly helpful to be networked with VCs ahead of your fundraise. Plus, it’s very important that entrepreneurs are aligned with an investor’s expectations and motivations for funding a business because they are ultimately trying to provide returns for LPs.
However, venture capital isn’t the only option for financing a company. There are lots of other avenues and some are non-dilutive like bootstrapping, revenue-based financing, traditional loans, and more.
It was Allison’s own experience of leading a medical device company that was trying to raise its Series B round of funding after hitting every milestone, paying customers, and an FDA registration that opened her eyes to the challenges of raising capital.
It led her to start a company and author a book to demystify the fundraising process and build a more equitable innovation economy. Through her company, Scroobious, she’s building a capital access platform where founders, investors, mentors, and advisors meet to build real relationships that unlock opportunity, innovation, and growth.
Her recently published book, Fundraising for the Rest of Us, is a practical guide for raising capital on your own terms.
In this episode, we cover:
- Allison’s background growing up and how she got her career started.
- Her personal story of being forced out of her job after returning from maternity leave, which ultimately led her down the entrepreneurial path.
- The story of Digital Cognition Technologies, a neurodiagnostics product, and its attempted Series B fundraise and ultimate asset sale.
- The inspiration behind Scroobious and how its platform helps founders.
- The details of the Core 10 Pitch Deck Framework.
- Her experience writing the book and what it was like recording the audiobook.
- And so much more!
Podcast Sponsor:
This podcast is brought to you by one of the strongest longtime supporters of the local startup ecosystem, Silicon Valley Bank, a division of First Citizens Bank. With more than 1,500 bankers and relationship advisors and $44B in loans as of Q4 2025 – SVB delivers expert guidance, specialized products and a team that knows the innovation economy inside and out. Learn more at SVB.com.