David Rakusan ·
Bridge Rounds: Emergency Cash or Smart Strategy?
Bridge rounds went from rare to dominant. In 2023 and 2024, 60 to 70% of all funding activity came through bridges, not new priced rounds. Yet most founders treat the bridge conversation as an emergency rather than a strategic move. The difference between a clean bridge and a death spiral is preparation: specific milestone, lead investor commitment, and structured proof investors can update without a 4-hour meeting. Here is the playbook.