Fundraising EXPLAINED ft. Robbie Crabtree: Founder of Competitive Storytelling

This week we’re talking fundraising with the enthusiastic storytelling expert, Robbie Crabtree. In this explained episode, Erica and Robbie chat through Robbie's fascinating story and his advice for founders who plan to or are actively fundraising. He gives away a lot of his proprietary tips in this episode that he normally reserves just for his clients. If you are a founder or VC raising $ anytime soon, you don't want to miss this episode!

Robbie Crabtree spent the first seven years of his career as a trial lawyer in Dallas, TX where he tried 102 jury trials. He specialized in violent felonies like robberies and murders before moving into the special crimes unit focused on child abuse cases. During his 16 months in that unit he tried cases of child sexual abuse, child physical abuse, and child death cases. After 7 years as a trial lawyer, he left the legal world behind to work in the tech industry. He first founded an edtech startup around public speaking for tech company executives and leadership that was acquired by On Deck at the end of 2020. Since that acquisition he’s founded Competitive Storytelling and turned it into the premier storytelling practice for founders, CEOs, and other leaders inside of the tech and venture capital world. Over the past 2 years, Robbie has trained thousands of these leaders from startups all the way to large public companies to help them become world-class storytellers.

Founders and CEOs that he’s privately coached have raised over $575 million dollars and been backed by the biggest venture capital funds in the world. His approach to storytelling and fundraising comes directly from his experience as a trial lawyer which is why he’s regularly asked to speak across the world on the subject. He’s spoken at Stanford University multiple times where he’s addressed the funding gap for minority and female founders while providing a roadmap for how capital allocators and founders can change that dynamic. Robbie is also the author of the upcoming book titled Competitive Storytelling: Raise Capital, Win Influence, and Shape the Future.

Twentysomethings, tune in now for a jam-packed chat on all things fundraising.

Follow Us!

Robbie Crabtree: @robbiecrab

Competitive Storytelling: website here

Erica Wenger: @erica_wenger

Dear Twentysomething: @deartwentysomething