This document outlines the fundraising timeline and lessons learned by the founders of Cookening, a startup company. It describes their efforts from 2012-2014 to raise funds from venture capital firms in France. Key events included launching their private alpha in November 2012, meeting with VCs starting in January 2013, and their public launch in May 2013. Despite ongoing meetings and updates, their last pitch to a VC in December 2013 was rejected. They then explored raising from business angels in early 2014 but ultimately decided not to raise funds at all. The document lists 10 lessons learned around timing, market fit, focusing too narrowly, and risks of pursuing the wrong fundraising opportunities.