Yes, venture funding can help, but it is not sufficient on its own.As of 2026, venture funding is generally not strong enough to serve as a standalone basis under the Awards criterion, which was more commonly relied on in the past. This is based on internal Beyond Border data and recent adjudication trends.That said, venture funding is still a meaningful supporting signal. It helps demonstrate that you are part of a relatively small and competitive group of operators who have successfully raised institutional capital. More importantly, it often points to a strong reference network. Investors, board members, and senior operators associated with funded companies can provide high-quality reference letters that support arguments around industry recognition, innovation, and the groundbreaking nature of your work.