- Jeff "Fuzzy" Wenzel
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- How Much Should You Budget to Raise Capital With Equity Crowdfunding?
How Much Should You Budget to Raise Capital With Equity Crowdfunding?
The real math behind what it takes to raise startup capital online.
Jeff "fuzzy" Wenzel
October 20, 2025
In partnership with
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If you’re planning to raise capital through equity crowdfunding, here’s the truth most founders learn the hard way.
You’ll spend 20–25% of what you raise on acquiring that capital.
That means if you plan to raise $1 million, expect to invest $200k–$250k into the campaign.
Those dollars go into paid ads, PR, video production, compliance, investor funnel builds, email and SMS marketing, webinars, and ongoing optimization.
This isn’t “spend money to make money.” It’s the cost of creating enough visibility, trust, and momentum to attract investors at scale.
When done right, that 25% spend becomes an engine. Each dollar compounds as awareness, credibility, and investor confidence grow over time.
The founders who understand this don’t see it as an expense. They see it as capital acquisition cost — the same way a sales team sees CAC in SaaS.
If you’re not prepared to fund your raise, your raise won’t fund you.
Fuzzy On The Mic 🎤
In this episode, I sit down with John R. (Grizz) Deal, CEO of iX Water (ICS Water), to discuss how his company is addressing one of the world’s most pressing problems: industrial wastewater. iX Water has transformed cutting-edge research from Los Alamos National Laboratory into a scalable solution that helps industries recycle even the most contaminated water at a fraction of traditional costs.
Grizz shares the story behind iX Water’s origins, the challenges of bringing disruptive technology to market, and why credibility is often the most significant barrier to adoption. He explains how their systems deliver up to 98% water recovery—dramatically outperforming conventional methods—and why their “fit-for-purpose water” approach is a game-changer for industries ranging from oil and gas to chemical manufacturing and, eventually, farming.
Listeners will also hear about iX Water’s unique business model, which combines a lean, expert-driven team with a plan to scale through partnerships with global leaders. With more than 2,600 investors already on board, Grizz outlines how iX Water delivers both strong financial potential and measurable environmental impact—what he calls the company’s dual mission.
Whether you’re an investor, an entrepreneur, or simply someone concerned about the future of water, this episode offers insights into how innovation, business strategy, and sustainability can align to create real global change.
👉 Learn more about iX Water at their industrial site and explore their active crowdfunding campaign on StartEngine.
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy securities. All investments involve risk, including possible loss of principal. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Always review offering materials and consult a financial advisor before investing.
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