Inside My Call With StartEngine's VP of Fundraising, Akil Matthews: Fees, Fit, and Fundraising

April 29, 2026.

This is a direct update after my last crowdfunding post about WeFunder.

This time, the lesson came from StartEngine.

I applied, sent over our pitch deck, and got on a call with Akil Matthews, Vice President of Fundraising at StartEngine.

The conversation was honest, helpful, and exactly the kind of founder feedback loop I value.

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Why I Took the Call

After our WeFunder week-one experience, I wanted to evaluate additional crowdfunding options and understand platform fit at a deeper level.

So I reached out to StartEngine and initiated the process.

If you're raising through Regulation Crowdfunding, this is one of the most important founder behaviors:

Don't just ask "Can I list?" Ask "Should I list here for my specific business model?"

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The Most Important Insight: B2B SaaS vs. Retail Crowdfunding Dynamics

Akil shared something that matters:

B2B SaaS generally does not perform as strongly on their platform compared with other business types that retail investors immediately understand.

That was valuable feedback.

Not because it was what I wanted to hear, but because it was specific, candid, and useful for decision-making.

Sometimes the highest-value fundraising conversation is the one that helps you avoid misalignment before you spend money.

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The Cost Structure Founders Need to Understand

One of the biggest practical takeaways from the call was around platform economics.

Many founders assume they can list and begin fundraising immediately.

In reality, there are often meaningful upfront costs tied to campaign launch and preparation.

In our conversation, we discussed how these structures can look like:

• A one-time launch/setup fee
• A potential rebate mechanism if the raise succeeds

Example framework we discussed:

• Upfront fee in the range of ~$20,000 to gear up and launch
• Partial rebate on the backend (for example ~$15,000) depending on outcome/structure

The core lesson:

Crowdfunding platforms are not always "zero upfront." Founders need to budget for distribution and launch infrastructure before expecting capital in.

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What I Asked Before Ending the Call

Before we wrapped, I asked a simple question:

"What can I take from this call that creates value immediately?"

That question changed the quality of the meeting.

Instead of leaving with a generic "we'll see," I left with:

• Better platform fit clarity
• Better understanding of fee/rebate mechanics
• Better sequencing for where to deploy time and money

Even if now is not the right timing, those are real assets.

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My Takeaway as a Founder Raising in Public

This call reinforced a pattern I've seen repeatedly in fundraising:

1. Distribution fit matters as much as product quality.
   Great products still need the right investor channel.

2. Fundraising readiness starts before launch day.
   Platform costs, legal requirements, and audience behavior all have to align.

3. High-quality conversations compound over time.
   A "not now" can still be a valuable relationship if you handle it professionally.

I added Akil on LinkedIn, stayed connected, and I am genuinely grateful for the candor.

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Where This Fits in Our Broader Raise Strategy

We're still moving forward across channels while staying disciplined on fit:

• Continue building momentum around our WeFunder campaign
• Continue evaluating platform alignment for Brokurz as a B2B SaaS company
• Continue building community and investor trust over time, not just launch-day spikes

If this post saves one founder from confusing "platform availability" with "platform fit," it did its job.

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Related Links (Backlinks + Context)

Internal:

• From Pitch Deck to Reality Check: Week One on WeFunder
• Investler Solutions Journal
• Invest page

External:

• StartEngine
• Regulation Crowdfunding (SEC)
• FINRA Portal for Regulation Crowdfunding

This is radical transparency. This is how we build.