Ep 521: How RYSE Used Meta Ads to Raise $10M+ in Equity (Not Just Sales)

Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signupIn this episode, Trung Pham, founder of RYSE, shares how he turned paid ad funnels — usually used to drive DTC sales — into a reliable growth engine for equity crowdfunding, raising over $10 million to fuel smart-home hardware innovation.Join Ryse's Round! https://invest.helloryse.com/🎯 Why Listen:Equity Crowdfunding Meets DTC: Learn how Trung structured investor acquisition just like customer acquisition — using Meta, Google, newsletters, and conversion-optimized funnels.Patent Strategy at Work: Discover how RYSE leverages Amazon’s APEX program to automatically take down copycat products.Smart Brand Architecture: Hear how RYSE plans to monetize knockoff competitors with a lower-priced TikTok-focused sister brand.Manufacturing Flexibility: Learn how Trung is using geographic production flexibility to hedge against rising tariffs.Key Concepts Covered:How to apply ad-driven sales mechanics to investor outreachWhat Reg A and Reg CF allow founders to do that VC doesn’tHow to structure tiered investment incentives to drive larger check sizesWhy your IP and distribution channels are your real moatThe difference between marketing high-ticket smart devices and traditional DTC goodsPerfect for:DTC founders, bootstrappers, eCommerce marketers, hardware entrepreneurs, and operators looking to raise capital without giving up control.Did you know that 98% of your website visitors are anonymous? Instant powers next-level retention by identifying who they are and converting them into loyal shoppers. Sign up for a quick demo today to get 50% off and unlock a guaranteed 4x+ ROI: instant.one/dtcTimestamps00:00 – Solving the $2K problem: How Ryse was born02:00 – R&D challenges and building novel IP from scratch05:00 – From crowdfunding to ecommerce: Scaling a smart home brand07:00 – Equity crowdfunding as a DTC growth strategy11:00 – Creative ad strategy for investors and customers14:00 – Cost to acquire investment vs. product sales15:00 – Patent protection and using Amazon's APEX program19:00 – TikTok strategy and launching a lower-cost sub-brand22:00 – Managing tariff risk by diversifying manufacturing24:00 – Building for acquisition: Ryse's smart home vision26:00 – Trung’s advice for hardware founders and DTC equity raisesHashtags#DTCBrands#EquityCrowdfunding#SmartHome#StartupGrowth#EcommerceMarketing#AmazonSellers#ProductInnovation#TikTokShop#PatentProtection#HardwareStartup Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signupAdvertise on DTC - https://dtcnews.link/advertiseWork with Pilothouse - https://dtcnews.link/pilothouseFollow us on Instagram & Twitter - @dtcnewsletterWatch this interview on YouTube - https://dtcnews.link/video