What happens when an entrepreneur turns their biggest fear—asking for money—into their secret weapon for success? In this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, host Marcia Dawood sits down with Maria Springer, founder of Capital Department, to discuss how founders can overcome fundraising anxiety and unlock new paths to capital. Maria’s journey began in the social enterprise world of East Africa, where she quickly learned that mastering fundraising was vital to making an impact. Her hard-won expertise now powers Capital Department, a firm that has helped startups secure over $200 million, with a special emphasis on fueling growth through innovative community rounds and crowdfunding. This episode is essential listening for startup founders and investors alike. Maria and Marcia dive into how narrative and organization are key to successful fundraising, the evolving landscape of crowdfunding, and why engaging your community is more powerful than ever. If you want practical fundraising advice and insider stories—like how Pirouette outperformed Substack with a record-setting raise—this conversation is packed with takeaways you won’t want to miss.