Pre-Seed Funding
Definition
Pre-seed is the first outside capital, typically $250K to $1M raised on SAFEs at $3M to $8M caps, funding a team from prototype toward seed-grade traction.
How it comes up in fundraising
Pre-seed rounds are assembled from 10 to 30 angel checks plus micro funds and accelerators, usually without a lead.
Frequently asked questions
What do pre-seed investors look for?
Founder-market fit, a shipped prototype, and a signal of pull like a growing waitlist or first paying users; the idea-only round is largely gone.
How long should pre-seed money last?
Twelve to 18 months of runway aimed at reaching seed evidence, plus a fundraising buffer.
Round Funded resources
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