The ERA accelerator and direct investor outreach are different fundraising paths. We looked at ERA and chose to raise our round through Round Funded, whose investor discovery and outreach workflow suited how we wanted to fundraise.
What is the ERA accelerator, and how does it compare?
ERA, or Entrepreneurs Roundtable Accelerator, describes itself as an early-stage accelerator based in New York City. Its program combines investment with a four-month schedule that includes in-person programming and some remote-friendly programming. ERA says it runs two programs each year, starting in January and June.
Round Funded takes a different approach: it helps founders find investors, send pitches, and track replies. Rather than an accelerator program, it provides a workflow for direct investor outreach. We at AI Perks considered ERA, then chose Round Funded because of its clean investor database, AI email-writing agent, convenient interface, workspace for teammates, Data Room, and tracking links.
These paths do not have to be exclusive. A founder could apply to an accelerator while also contacting investors directly. Round Funded includes accelerator listings as well as investor search, so founders can explore program options alongside direct outreach.
What does ERA offer selected startups?
According to ERA, selected companies receive $150,000 on a post-money SAFE in exchange for 6% of the company. The investment goes to the company, and founders decide how to use the funds. ERA says the SAFE converts into preferred shares representing 6% of fully diluted capitalization at the next equity round.
ERA also describes a mentor-driven program with operating partners and mentors supporting company growth. Its published terms say the investment amount does not vary by founder, and selected companies may have the potential for follow-on funding. ERA also notes that founders remain responsible for building a successful company.
The investment and program have distinct parts to consider: the capital, the ownership terms, and the four-month program format. ERA says the program is based in New York City, with some remote-friendly programming. Founders can weigh those details against their own plans and fundraising needs. The information here describes ERA’s stated offer; we at AI Perks did not participate in its program.
What should founders consider about the 6% SAFE?
The stated $150,000 investment comes with 6% on a post-money SAFE. That means founders evaluating ERA’s offer should consider the ownership described in the SAFE along with the capital and program support. ERA says its SAFE converts into preferred shares representing 6% of fully diluted capitalization at the next equity round.
ERA also says that a later equity round dilutes prior investors, including SAFE investments. The details of a financing arrangement matter, so founders should read the applicable terms and consider how the structure fits their plans. An accelerator investment does not remove the need to plan future fundraising. ERA says companies will need to raise money, and most likely more money, to build a business.
Direct outreach presents a different set of tasks rather than an accelerator investment. Founders need to identify potential investors, prepare and send pitches, manage follow-ups, and track conversations. Round Funded is built around those activities, not an accelerator cohort.
Why did we at AI Perks choose Round Funded?
We raised our round through Round Funded. We chose it because its fundraising workflow matched the direct outreach approach we wanted to take. In particular, we valued the clean investor database, an AI agent that writes emails, and a convenient interface for organizing the work.
We also valued being able to invite teammates into the workspace, use the Data Room, and use tracking links. Round Funded’s investor database covers 60,000+ active VCs, angels, family offices, and accelerators, with search filters for stage, industry, geography, and check size. Investors are filtered to recent activity, with a check in roughly the last 6 months, and emails are verified.
The product can also support the practical steps between investor research and follow-up. Its AI drafts personalized outreach emails and follow-ups for each investor. Outreach goes out from the founder’s own Gmail, so replies land in that inbox and the conversation thread belongs to the founder. A fundraising pipeline keeps investors, stages, and next steps together.
The Data Room lets founders place a deck, traction, team, and ask behind one link. It is free to build and share on every plan. Per-investor tracked links and engagement analytics, including views, deck opens, and meeting clicks, come with Round+. We chose Round Funded for the features and workflow described above, not because any tool can promise investor replies or a completed round.
How much does Round Funded cost?
Round Funded has three paid plans and no free tier. Round+ costs $99 a month, Round Pro costs $249 a month, and Lifetime costs $899 one-time. Round+ and Round Pro include a 3-day free trial for first-time accounts.
| Plan | Price | Included capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Round+ | $99 a month | Up to 2,500 investors in the pipeline, email up to 2,000 investors a month, and 2,500 AI credits a month |
| Round Pro | $249 a month | Up to 5,000 pipeline investors, email up to 10,000 investors a month, up to 6 connected inboxes, and 5,000 AI credits a month |
| Lifetime | $899 one-time | Everything in Round Pro, paid once |
The Data Room can be built and shared on every plan. Round+ includes per-investor tracked links and engagement analytics. For founders comparing a program with direct outreach, the choice is not simply between two prices: ERA’s stated offer involves investment and an ownership stake, while Round Funded is a paid product for managing investor discovery and outreach.
Founders who want to explore direct outreach can submit a startup on Round Funded to get matched with investors. They can also start exploring Round Funded’s investor outreach workflow.
How Round Funded helps founders manage investor outreach
- Search the investor database using filters for stage, industry, geography, and check size.
- Review investors whose activity is filtered to a check in roughly the last 6 months, with verified emails.
- Use the AI agent to draft personalized investor emails and follow-ups.
- Send outreach from your own Gmail and organize investors, stages, and next steps in the fundraising pipeline.
- Submit your startup to get matched with investors, then invite teammates into the workspace and use the Data Room and plan-dependent tracking links.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ERA an accelerator or an investor?
ERA describes itself as an accelerator that invests in selected companies and runs a four-month program. Its stated investment is $150,000 on a post-money SAFE in exchange for 6%.
Does Round Funded invest in startups?
Round Funded helps founders find investors, send pitches, and track replies. It is a direct fundraising workflow, rather than an accelerator investment.
Can a founder apply to ERA and contact investors directly?
Yes. Applying to an accelerator and conducting direct investor outreach can happen in parallel. Founders can also search for accelerators in Round Funded’s listings.
What does the Round Funded Data Room include?
The Data Room puts a deck, traction, team, and ask on one link. It is free to build and share on every plan. Per-investor tracked links and engagement analytics come with Round+.
Does Round Funded guarantee investor replies or funding?
No. Round Funded provides tools for investor search, outreach, and pipeline tracking. Using those tools does not guarantee replies, meetings, or a closed round.