About FTFC

At FTFC, we specialize in helping first-time founders successfully raise Pre-seed, Seed, and Series A funding rounds by building a strong foundation and craft strategic positioning. We're not investors ourselves—we're your strategic partners who prepare you for the investors you'll meet.

Our Story

FTFC was founded by a team of entrepreneurs with a track record of raising venture capital, bootstrapping ventures, and mentoring with top accelerators and startup advisory boards. Through our investing, advising, and evaluating startups, we've developed deep insights into what drives success.

To further this mission, we recently partnered with Strategic Finance Service and Venture Partners, each of whom brings 25+ years of experience in helping Boston startups raise capital and scale operational efficiency. Each is trusted by founders and investors alike, creating warm relationships that help open doors.

Our Mission

To empower entrepreneurs and business owners by providing access to expert fundraising strategies, capital solutions, and sustainable frameworks.

Our Vision

To make a world where every great business idea has the opportunity to thrive, unburdened by unnecessary financial complexity.

Our Values

• Integrity in all dealings
• Transparency throughout the funding process
• Innovation in financial solutions
• Partnership in service delivery
• Excellence in our delivery

Our Team

Mike Spidaliere

CEO & Partner, FTFC

Mike is a serial founder with a track record of launching and fundraising for companies across entertainment, cannabis, physical spaces, and food tech. After navigating the fundraising journey firsthand, he launched FTFC with one mission: to help other founders not just understand the capital-raising process—but master it. Since founding FTFC, Mike has helped startups across industries raise millions, built a vetted network of 600+ investors, and mentored rising founders through top accelerators like Techstars and Founder Institute. He's also brought together a powerhouse team of experienced entrepreneurs, all united around one goal: bridging the gap between founders and funders.

Jason Zuker

Sr. Venture Advisor, FTFC

Founder-turned-strategic advisor with a polymathic background spanning human & machine intelligence, venture building, media, and advanced technology. He is an international scholar laureate and self-ascribed mad-scientist developing a reputation for manifesting uniquely valuable solutions. With experience scaling companies, building technology, and securing funding, he's passionate about leveraging his unique talent and network to bridge the gap between founders and investors at FTFC.

Jake Kerr

Sr. Venture Advisor, FTFC

Jake, a molecular biologist, entrepreneur, and investor with extensive healthcare expertise, co-founded Bright Yeti, Inc., an early-stage plant biology company focused on bioelectromagnetics, and later served as a senior venture analyst for the University of Colorado Care Innovation Fund, supporting biotech and digital health ventures. Currently, as CEO and founder of 39North Health Plans, he has built a high-performance provider network offering members $0 care for most services. Passionate about advancing healthcare technologies, Jake joined FTFC to consult and advise companies, leveraging his diverse experience to help patients access cutting-edge tools and improve their lives in a rapidly evolving industry.

Wilfred Hirst

Sr. Venture Advisor, FTFC

Wilfred Hirst is a creative strategist, entrepreneur, and super connector who blends artistic insight with sharp business expertise to guide first-time founders in building innovative, market-leading startups. As co-founder of VONA with Sigur Rós, he launched a pioneering CBD and wellness venture, scaling it to serve customers in the US, Hong Kong, UK, and Taiwan, demonstrating his ability to shape and thrive in emerging markets. An accomplished artist in music and visual arts, Wilfred brings originality and creative problem-solving to his strategic work. Wilfred joined First Time Founder Capital to connect people and help early-stage entrepreneurs leveraging his unique blend of creative, entrepreneurial, and SaaS expertise to help founders turn bold ideas into successful ventures and stay ahead of market trends.

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