Pay close attention to the traction section of your pitch deck. It may be the difference between a financing boom or bust.

Founders might think that these conditions will make fundraising easy. But competition is fierce, and investors want to see several key indicators before they commit.

Here are the trends shaping a record year for founders — and the tools that will help them seize the moment.

Even in a frenzied marketplace, startup founders still face an uphill battle to differentiate themselves.