When most founders think about fundraising, they think about pressure.
Investor calls. Deck revisions. The emotional rollercoaster of rejection after rejection.
But according to Craig Cummings, co-founder and General Partner at Moonshots Capital, pressure isn’t the problem — it’s the privilege.
“Pressure is a privilege. It means you’re in the arena. You’re doing something that matters.”
After 17 years in the Army and two successful startup exits, Craig knows what it means to lead under stress. His fund now backs founders who can operate in that same environment — with clarity, calm, and control.
Why Pressure Reveals Founder Quality
In the early stages of a startup, everyone looks good on paper. Great idea, polished deck, clear vision.
But pressure reveals something metrics can’t: decision quality.
When Moonshots evaluates a founder, Craig looks for:
Responsiveness under stress — Do they communicate clearly when things go wrong?
Focus on the mission — Can they stay anchored to why they started?
Execution speed — Can they make small, correct decisions quickly?
In other words, the moment you feel the pressure, investors start learning how you lead.