From Viral Success to Fundraising Hustle: Inside the Startup Journey of Clova
Starting a startup is a rollercoaster of emotions, challenges, and unexpected turns, and the journey of Clova—a startup that recently went viral—perfectly encapsulates this reality. In this blog post, we dive into the authentic, behind-the-scenes experience of Clova’s founders as they transition from an exciting viral moment to the demanding world of fundraising and product building.
The Viral Spark That Ignited Clova’s Fundraising Journey
Clova’s recent viral success was nothing short of remarkable. A Twitter post amassed over 700,000 views, complemented by 200,000 views on Threads and 100,000 on Instagram. This viral traction became a crucial validation moment—the product was resonating with users, and the founders finally had a clear direction on what to build.
However, with great momentum came great urgency. The startup space is fiercely competitive, and the Clova team knew they had to move fast. The goal was set: raise $1 million to hire key engineers and scale the product development. The viral moment was a catalyst, but the real work was just beginning.
Fundraising: The Full-Time Job That Distracts from Building
For the founders, fundraising quickly became a full-time job, consuming nearly every waking hour with back-to-back pitch calls and meetings. The process was exhausting and emotionally taxing. It required managing highs and lows—one minute feeling optimistic after a promising pitch, the next feeling deflated when deals fell through or interest waned.
One key insight from their experience: fundraising is like sales, demanding persistence and resilience. Warm introductions from trusted founder friends proved invaluable, opening doors to potential investors far more effectively than cold outreach. Customizing emails, targeting investors aligned with their funding stage (pre-seed/seed), and minimizing friction for introducers were tactics that helped keep the momentum going.
Balancing Product Focus with Fundraising Realities
While fundraising was demanding, the team remained committed to product excellence. Ryan, the lead engineer, stayed locked in on coding and improving Clova’s core features despite the mounting pressure. They were focused on building a clean, robust codebase—learning from past experiences where rushed, “hacky” solutions led to issues later on.
Simultaneously, the founders recognized the importance of maintaining balance. A brief trip home for Mother’s Day reminded them that beyond the grind, family and mental recharge are essential. This break helped clear their minds, bringing fresh perspectives and renewed energy to their work.
Building a Brand and Product with Care
As part of growing Clova, the team also invested time in refining their website and brand presence. Recognizing design wasn’t their strongest suit, they utilized tools like Framer to create a sleek, minimalistic site focused on mobile experience—a strategic pivot reflecting their product’s direction. They welcomed community feedback to improve and iterate quickly, showing openness to continuous learning and growth.
The Emotional Rollercoaster and Lessons Learned
Throughout the fundraising hustle, the founders candidly shared their emotional journey—how the ups and downs can be draining but are part of the process. They stressed the importance of managing emotions rather than trying to eliminate them, understanding that volatility is inevitable. The key is to keep pushing forward and not let setbacks derail the overall mission.
They also highlighted a crucial mindset shift: moving away from scarcity thinking. With many investors and opportunities available, approaching fundraising as a conversation rather than a desperate plea helped maintain confidence and composure.
Looking Ahead: Hiring, Scaling, and Staying Authentic
With $100K already raised and momentum building, Clova is gearing up for a critical phase of growth. They are actively hiring new team members—including engineers and interns—to accelerate development and bring fresh talent into the fold. The founders remain committed to sharing their journey authentically, promising transparency whether the fundraising goes smoothly or encounters bumps.
Key Takeaways for Aspiring Founders
- Validate Quickly and Build on Momentum: Viral traction is powerful but fleeting. Use it to accelerate your fundraising and hiring efforts.
- Fundraising is a Full-Time Job: Expect it to consume your time and emotional energy. Prepare accordingly.
- Leverage Warm Intros: Build relationships and ask for introductions to investors aligned with your stage.
- Manage Emotional Volatility: Fundraising is an emotional rollercoaster; focus on minimizing ups and downs rather than eliminating them.
- Balance Work and Life: Take breaks to recharge and gain perspective—your mental health and relationships matter.
- Invest in Product Quality: Build your codebase right from the start to avoid technical debt.
- Stay Authentic: Share both successes and struggles; transparency builds trust and community support.
Final Thoughts
Clova’s story is a candid look at the dual realities of startup life: the excitement of viral success and the grind of fundraising. It’s a reminder that behind every startup headline is a complex journey filled with hard work, emotional resilience, and constant learning. For founders navigating similar paths, Clova’s experience offers valuable lessons and inspiration to keep moving forward—one pitch, one line of code, and one step at a time.
Are you on a startup journey too? What challenges have you faced during fundraising or product building? Share your experiences and tips in the comments below!