It's amazing how the startup community has ingrained the idea of fundraising in almost every young entrepreneur's mind.

I've seen excellent, promising businesses come to my coaching sessions with one question: "Can you help us raise funds?"

Out of curiosity, I respond, "Why do you want to do that?"

"Because we have great ideas and want to raise funds," they often reply, almost angrily.

I continue, ignoring their frustration: "You have solid revenues and an incredible B2B customer base after only two years. Why not focus on growing your sales force and acquiring more B2B customers, since your existing base generates recurring revenues?"

Unfortunately, most don't listen. I've witnessed many companies burn through their capital in a three-year fundraising endeavor, losing their customer base in the process.

Others find investors, but not the top-tier ones. They end up with dozens of business angels and countless distractions, again losing their customer base along the way.

Remember: Always build your business first. Once you have a hypergrowth story, seek out scale-up investors. Don't make fundraising your core business unless you have a solid deep-tech idea and the expertise to bring it to the B2B market.