Why I Tell Companies That Just Raised a Round “Congrats”

I try to tell every found of every company that raises a round of funding (VC, angel or friends and family) a huge congratulations.

This angers some. “Raising money isn’t something you congratulate someone for, they didn’t get acquired.”

I will always say “Congrats!” to startups raising money, as Unified did this morning. I will also show my support whenever someone starts a company, shuts down a company or sells it for a bazillion dollars. They are all important milestones and have zero reflection of the character of the founders or employees. It is just money.

That is part of being a member of a community.  If we just celebrated the high notes of life we would all just be playing the Parachute Game. Every. Single. Day.