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Welcome to The Good News Newsletter—proudly serving over 4,094 founders! Here, we break down the latest insights from our weekly Investor Office Hours sessions and equip you with tools to help you secure capital for your business.

Missed the live session? Listen to the recording here.
Want to join the next session? Check out the full list of investors here.
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🌟 Founder Spotlight

Philip Barrar — Founder & CEO, FutureMoney

Last week I had the opportunity to catch up with Philip Barrar, Founder and CEO at FutureMoney.

FutureMoney is on a mission to make generational wealth simple for families. The app helps parents invest early for their children through tax-advantaged accounts — turning everyday moments into lifelong opportunities.

If you’re a parent (or know one), this is an app worth sharing. It’s more than fintech — it’s financial empowerment for the next generation.

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🙏🏽 The Good News - Investor Office Hours

Hey Everyone!
I was away over the past two weeks so this Newsletter from our Office Hours session from October 17th is a bit delayed. Nonetheless, here is the recap!

Office Hours Recap:
We’re taking things to the next level by hosting Office Hours with video — powered by Chatter Social — making it easier than ever for founders and investors to connect face-to-face, no matter where they are.

Session #1 - Rahul Daryanani, Senior Principal at Cerity Partners Ventures

Stage: Late Seed to Series B

Industry: FinTech, InsurTech, and B2B SaaS startups serving large enterprise or corporate markets

Check Size: Typically $1M–$5M through corporate venture funds operated for Fortune 500 partners such as Kellogg’s, T-Mobile, and Erie Insurance

How to Apply: Founders can connect through the website or reach out directly via LinkedIn. Rahul emphasized that warm introductions and clear alignment with a corporate partner’s strategic interests significantly increase your chances of engagement.

Key Takeaways from Session:

1. Corporate Venture as a Bridge: Cerity Partners Ventures operates venture funds on behalf of major corporations, allowing startups to gain both capital and commercial access. Startups don’t need an immediate partnership to qualify, but strategic alignment helps unlock enterprise opportunities.

2. Quality Over Growth: Post-2021, the focus has shifted from “growth at all costs” to efficiency and fundamentals. Founders should demonstrate capital discipline, realistic growth expectations, and measurable customer traction.

3. The Founder Still Matters: Even at later stages, founder character, grit, and clarity of vision remain key decision drivers. As Rahul put it, “You’re the expert in your space — we’re here to help you scale it.”

Session #2 – Virginie Raphael, Founder & Managing Partner at FullCircle

Stage: Pre-Seed

Industry: Human potential, future of work, and human-centered innovation — spanning post-secondary education, workforce support, and employee well-being.

Check Size: Around $250K per company

How to Apply: Founders can reach out through fullcirclefund.io and submit their deck via the online form. Virginie prefers thoughtful, targeted outreach that clearly aligns with FullCircle’s thesis around purpose and potential — no generic “Dear Sir” emails or mass blasts. She values founders who demonstrate context and care in their communication.

Key Takeaways from Session:

1. Distribution and Pricing Trump Perfection: Virginie emphasized that founders need to deeply understand their ideal customer profile (ICP) and how to reach them early. Distribution, pricing, and business models often determine success more than product features.

2. Pre-Qualify Investors: Fundraising isn’t about volume — it’s about fit. Treat it like a sales process. Know who you’re reaching out to, why they’re a match, and avoid wasting time pitching funds that don’t invest at your stage or geography.

3. Relationships Are Human, Not Transactional: Virginie reminded founders that investors are people, not ATMs. Build genuine, human connections, follow up thoughtfully, and show gratitude even when rejected. Founders who take feedback with grace earn reputations that open future doors.

Funding Resources:

💰 Resources of the Week:

Huckberry The Dream Year Giveaway - $100K | Deadline: 11/4/2025

Alma Ascent Pitch Competition - Up to $60K | Deadline: 11/6/2025

BGV Pitch Los Angeles - Up to $30K | Deadline: 11/7/2025

Mind Your Business Capital Pitch Competition - $25K | Deadline: 11/7/2025

Aurora Tech Award - Up to $50K | Deadline: 11/12/2025

The David Prize - $200K | Deadline: 11/17/2025

Techstars: NYC Accelerator - $220K | Deadline: 11/19/2025

Blue Ridge Labs Robinhood Catalyst Accelerator - $100K | Deadline: 11/21/2025

Elbow Grease AI Accelerator - $300K | Deadline: 11/27/2025

D-Prize Challenges Global Competition - Up to $20K | Deadline: 12/14/2025

Tulsa Remote - $10K | Rolling

💸 Alternative Funding Sources:

Access up to $2M in non-dilutive debt financing. Request information here.

Raise up to $5M in equity capital through a Community Round. Request information here.

Interested in 1 on 1 support from Darrel? In preparation for launching my own fund, I will be working 1 on 1 with select founders as an advisor. Interested founders can learn more and consider submitting their company here.

🎙️ Podcast of the Week: Why Chuck Welden Says CRE is for Idiots (And Why He Might Be Right) | Commercially Speaking

Summary:
Chuck Welden — developer, investor, and founder of Welden Field — shares how he integrates faith and business through “redemptive real estate.” He explains why following biblical principles in commercial real estate isn’t just moral, it’s strategic. From creating apartment communities that minister to residents, to launching The Lion’s Den (a Christian version of Shark Tank), Chuck unpacks how faith-driven business can scale without compromise. His insights redefine success beyond profit — emphasizing servant leadership, measurable impact, and “creation care.”

Why I recommend it:
This episode is a masterclass in running a business that builds both wealth and the Kingdom. Chuck shows how loving people well and operating with integrity leads to better long-term returns. His framework of the quadruple bottom line — financial, social, spiritual, and environmental — challenges entrepreneurs to measure what truly matters. Whether you’re a founder, investor, or leader, this conversation will inspire you to see business as a divine assignment, not just a financial opportunity. You can listen here.

✨ Inspiration

💬 Tweet of the Week

🎵 Song of the Week

🙏🏽 Scripture of the Week

That’s all for this week’s edition of The Good News Newsletter. We hope you found these insights valuable as you continue your journey to securing funding.

What’s next?

We are back this Friday with more investors!

​​For session #1 we have Avoilan Bingham, General Manager + Investor at Drive Capital.

​Drive Capital is an early stage VC firm investing $500K into dynamic founders building the next market-defining companies in massive markets.

For session #2 we have Chris Gonzales, VP of Operations at Bloom Co. Capital.

​Bloom Co. Capital is dedicated to nurturing businesses from the ground up, ensuring they are well-positioned for long-term success.

If interested in joining and/or pitching, please register here.

You can see the full list of past and future VCs on this Calendar.

Be on the lookout for our newsletter next week where we’ll bring you more actionable advice, resources, and success stories.

Let’s All, spread ‘The Good News’

Best,
Darrel Frater
Co-Founder
The Frater Family Foundation
Linkedin | Twitter/X | 609-804-5999

P.S. - If you enjoyed this newsletter, forward it to a founder you know who could benefit from these insights!

P.S.S. - Got ideas or suggestions for The Good News? Shoot me an email at [email protected] for us to discuss!

About TFFF: The Frater Family Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the family office of Darrel and Roselly Frater, dedicated to promoting human prosperity through entrepreneurship. To learn more, reach out to Darrel Frater directly.