Will Richards - Startup Funding, Media, and What Founders Get Wrong

In this episode of Funded Futures, we sit down with Will Richards, co-founder of Overnight Success and senior associate at Encour, to talk about the power of media, storytelling, and startup funding. Will has built a name for himself in Australia’s startup ecosystem by covering early-stage founders, helping them gain visibility, and supporting businesses through public relations and investment insights.We dive into Will’s unexpected entry into startups, from working at a car insurance company that went through an acquisition to navigating private equity and eventually launching Overnight Success, a platform dedicated to amplifying founders’ stories. He shares how he leveraged media as a tool to break into venture capital, and why founders should be thinking about their narrative long before they seek investment.We also explore the role of PR in startups, why some founders waste money on press coverage too early, and how to craft a compelling story that resonates with investors, customers, and journalists alike. Will offers practical advice on raising capital, including the biggest mistakes founders make when positioning their business for funding, and why deal terms matter just as much as valuation.Finally, we discuss the changing landscape of startup investment in 2025, the rise of AI in media, and how founders can stand out in an increasingly competitive funding environment.Whether you're a founder preparing for your next raise, an investor looking for promising early-stage businesses, or just someone fascinated by how startups get their big break, this episode is full of real, actionable insights.