
Doing pre seed work is a crucial step in building a strong startup foundation. It's like laying the groundwork for a house, you need a solid base to ensure stability and growth.
Pre seed work involves validating your idea, identifying your target market, and creating a minimum viable product (MVP). This process helps you determine if your idea is worth pursuing and if there's a market demand for it.
By doing pre seed work, you can save time and resources in the long run. It's better to fail early and cheaply than to invest heavily in a product that may not be viable.
Pre-Seed Work
Before you start doing pre-seed work, it's essential to validate your idea. This means proving that your business can be built, there's a market for what you're selling, and it can scale over time. You need to demonstrate that your idea is not just a castle in the air.

To validate your idea, consider the following: can your business be built, is there a market for it, is the market growing, and can your business scale? You can answer these questions by asking yourself if you have any proof or evidence to back up your claims.
Here are some key questions to consider when validating your idea:
- Can this thing actually be built? Prove you're not just all talk.
- Is there even a market for what you're selling? Do you have any proof? Slap it on the table!
- How large is the market, and is it growing? Investors want to see a growing market potential.
- Can your business scale? Show how your business can grow over time.
By answering these questions, you'll be able to demonstrate that your idea is solid and worth investing in.
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Worth a look: Pre-seed Angel Investors
Validate Your Idea
You need to demonstrate that your business idea is not just a castle in the air. Prove that it's a rock-solid concept by answering four key questions.
Can your business idea actually be built? Prove you're not just all talk by showing that you have a clear plan and the resources to execute it.
Is there even a market for what you're selling? Do you have any proof? Slap it on the table by sharing market research and customer feedback.

How large is the market, and is it growing? Investors want to see a growing market potential, so be prepared to share data and trends that support your claim.
Can your business scale? Show how your business can grow over time by outlining your plans for expansion and revenue growth.
To validate your idea, you can get some industry leaders on record for saying how a solution to the problem would be valued, or have a first customer explain how they're looking forward to the product.
Here are some key indicators to look out for when validating your business idea:
- Founder-market-fit: Why are they doing it, what is their motivation?
- Team dynamics: Are they complementary, how long do they know each other?
- Early traction: Have they made enough progress relative to how long they've been around?
- Hustle and grit: Are they proving their resilience and getting early customers?
By answering these questions and showcasing your progress, you'll be well on your way to validating your business idea and making a strong case for pre-seed funding.
VC Firms:
There aren't many VC firms that will entertain pre-seed stage companies, but this number is growing.
Gaining the support of a VC is the "holy grail" at the pre-seed stage, requiring hard work and a rigorous vetting process.

A larger investment is generally offered by VC firms compared to other pre-seed options.
VC partners provide valuable networking and mentoring opportunities, giving founders access to knowledge transfer and maximizing startup opportunities.
Antler is a good example of a VC firm that goes one step further by offering day zero investing, providing typical "later-stage" support to founders who are pre-team or even pre-idea.
Starting a Startup
Starting a startup requires careful planning, and understanding how pre-seed funding works is essential.
Pre-seed funding is typically a small investment, ranging from $150K to $1M.
Founders need to make that money stretch a long way, which means being frugal with expenses.
Typically, early stage VC investors invest in multiple startups with a smaller investment in each, rather than later stage investors.
This approach allows founders to raise the necessary funds without breaking the bank.
Some common uses of pre-seed funding include hiring a small team, conducting market research, and developing a minimum viable product.
For more insights, see: Pre Seed Vc
Raising Funding

Raising funding for your pre-seed startup is a crucial step towards achieving escape velocity. This typically involves raising between $150K to $1M, which needs to be stretched in many different directions.
To make the most of pre-seed funding, prioritize spending and set clear goals for how to use the money. Communicate with investors and plan for the future, as they will be detectives trying to see if your startup has potential.
Investors at this stage are looking for a compelling startup idea, a clear problem and solution, and a solid financial roadmap. They want to see that you've done your market research and have a plan to scale massively.
A unique perspective: Pre Seed Capital
What Is Funding?
Pre-seed funding is an investment round secured pre-product market fit and pre-revenue, at the start of a startup's life.
It's a crucial step for entrepreneurs with great ideas but limited financial resources. Without pre-seed funding, they'll need to draw on their own resources, which can be a major obstacle.

Pre-seed funding solves this problem and makes the startup space more egalitarian, focusing on ideas and the people behind them rather than access to money.
At this stage, investors serve as cheerleaders, supporting and believing in the startup's potential, even if the product isn't built yet.
Pre-seed funding is like the first drop of water for a business idea, helping it grow its roots and become a tangible product.
With pre-seed funding, you can develop your minimum viable product (MVP) and validate demand for your product, taking your startup to the next level.
How Startups Use Funding
Pre-seed funding is typically a small investment, and founders need to make that money stretch a long way. This means they can expect to raise anywhere from $150K to $1M in the pre-seed funding stage.
One of the most common uses of pre-seed funding is to accelerate the startup journey in those early stages where having cash is such a critical concern. This is because having enough money can help you achieve "escape velocity", a metaphor borrowed from rocket physics that means breaking free of gravity and achieving spaceflight.
Curious to learn more? Check out: How Does Mobile Money Work
Pre-seed funding can help minimize the risk of running out of money, which is a major reason why startups fail. In fact, a third of startups fail due to lack of funds, including the founder's personal reserves.
Founders need to make their pre-seed funding stretch in many different directions, and common uses include covering operational costs, hiring team members, and developing the product or service.
Core Elements for Raising Funding
Raising funding can be a challenging but exciting process, and understanding the core elements involved can make a big difference. Pre-seed funding is typically a small investment, ranging from $150K to $1M, and founders need to make that money stretch a long way.
To raise pre-seed funding, you need to have a compelling startup idea and a solid plan in place. This includes developing your MVP or validating the demand for your product. Investors at this stage are like detectives, trying to see if there's any evidence your startup might be a thing.
For another approach, see: What Do You Need to Do Pre Seed
A pre-seed pitch deck is different from other pitch decks because it focuses on the vision and possibilities, rather than tangibles like product or revenues. It's about inspiring investors with your team's vision and mission statements, and defining the customer problem you're setting out to solve.
Prioritize spending and set clear goals for how to use pre-seed funding. This will help you balance short-term needs with long-term vision. Communicate with investors and plan for the future, and don't get so caught up in raising money that you neglect other important aspects of your business.
One final thing to keep in mind is that pre-seed investors are inspired by great teams of people, not just quick returns. They're looking for a long-term 5-7 year return on their investment, and they don't want to miss out on a good opportunity.
Suggestion: Pitch Deck Examples Pre Seed
Pitch Deck
A pre-seed pitch deck is all about vision and possibilities, not about showing off a product or revenues. At this stage, you're selling the idea, not the business.
The deck should focus on the vision and mission statements, and defining the customer problem you're setting out to solve. It's also essential to emphasize the people behind the company, showcasing the team of visionaries who will drive the business forward.
You want to assure potential investors that your team has the potential to turn an idea into something meaningful, just like the next Steve Jobs or Mark Zuckerberg.
What Sets a Pitch Deck Apart?
A pitch deck is a powerful tool, but what sets it apart from other presentations? A pre-seed pitch deck differs from others because it focuses on the vision and possibilities of the business.
At the pre-seed stage, there's typically no product or revenues to build a case for your business, so the pitch deck needs to be handled differently. The deck should focus on inspiring whoever is looking at it.
The qualities that a pre-seed deck should focus on include the startup value proposition, the vision and mission statements, and defining the customer problem that you're setting out to solve. These are the qualities that will drive your business forward.
The team behind the company is also crucial at the pre-seed stage. Success rests on being able to assure people that the team has the next Steve Jobs or Mark Zuckerberg in it, who have the ability to take an idea and turn it into something with meaning.
Refine Your Deck

A pre-seed pitch deck is a living document that should be refined based on feedback from investors and others.
The ideal approach to pitch decks varies depending on the region, so it's essential to tailor your deck to your audience.
In Western settings, a more visual approach is often preferred, while in Japan, people tend to look for slightly more wordy and detail-oriented pitch decks.
You should actively seek out feedback and refine your pitch deck based on it, looking at what catches investors' attention the most clearly.
It's also a good idea to build a number of different pitch decks for different scenarios and conditions.
Research the pitch decks of companies that investors have previously invested in and tweak your pitch deck accordingly.
Ultimately, a pitch deck is there to represent your company and vision, so focus on conveying the right information in a way that will creatively represent that vision to the person you're presenting to.
Pre-seed investors are inspired by great teams of people, not just quick returns, so make sure your pitch deck speaks to the human side of investors too.
Startup Strategy

A third of startups fail because they run out of money, including the founder's personal reserves. This is often because they haven't achieved escape velocity, a metaphor borrowed from rocket physics where a startup needs to accelerate quickly to break free of gravity and achieve spaceflight.
Pre-seed funding gives you the best chance of achieving that escape velocity.
If the speed is too slow, the effort ultimately stalls, and the longer it takes to get going, the lower the chances of success.
Preparation and Planning
To prepare for a pre-seed round, founders need to follow critical steps to maximize their chances of success.
You'll have an unprecedented opportunity to convert your brilliant idea into a viable startup business, thanks to the growth in VCs and other investment opportunities at the pre-seed stage.
Founders need to think about the next round of funding while they're in the pre-seed funding raising round. This means planning for the future and making decisions today that will set them up for success tomorrow.
By planning ahead, you can ensure you're making progress towards achieving the milestones that will attract angel investors or venture capital firms.
Suggestion: Seed round Valuation
No Clear Plan
Not having a clear plan can be a major obstacle in achieving your goals. Your book is very plain if your manuscript does not have a specific plan. A clear plan helps you stay on track and focused, just like having a roadmap for a journey.
Investors want to see a clear roadmap before investing. At no point can you tell an investor that you don't have a plan, and expect them to take you seriously. Without a plan, you're essentially saying you don't know what you're doing.
A plan helps you define your target finish lines and what you want to achieve. It's like writing a manuscript - you wouldn't spend years writing it without a clear idea of what you want to say.
Future Plan
Planning for the future is crucial, especially when you're in the pre-seed funding raising round. You need to be thinking about the next round of funding to ensure you're making decisions today that will set you up for success tomorrow.
Check this out: Seed round Financing

To attract angel investors or venture capital firms, you'll need to achieve specific milestones. This means setting clear goals and targets for your startup to reach before the next funding round.
Having a clear plan for the future will also help you determine how much money you'll need to raise. This will give you a better understanding of your startup's financial needs and help you make informed decisions about funding.
Securing your first round of funds is a significant milestone, but it's just the beginning. By planning for the future, you can ensure that your startup is well-positioned for growth and success.
Market and Product
Investing in your product is key to attracting new customers and generating more revenue. Use pre-seed funding to develop your product, add new features, and make improvements.
Before taking on investors, validate your business idea by demonstrating that it's not just a concept, but a viable product that can be built. Prove that you're not just all talk by showing that your product can be created.
A market for your product is essential, and you need to prove its existence. Show that there's a growing market potential, and that your business can scale over time. This can be done by demonstrating a large market size and growth prospects.
Invest in Product
Investing in your product is crucial to attracting new customers and generating more revenue. This can be achieved by using pre-seed funding to develop your product, add new features, and make improvements.
Developing your product will help you understand its potential and identify areas for growth. You can use pre-seed funding to invest in research and development, testing, and iteration.
Investing in your product also means adding new features and making improvements. This will help you stay ahead of the competition and meet the evolving needs of your customers.
Before investing in your product, it's essential to validate your idea. This means demonstrating that your business idea is not just a concept, but a viable solution to a real problem.
Here are some key factors to consider when validating your idea:
- Can your product actually be built? Prove that you're not just talking about it.
- Is there a market for your product? Do you have any proof or data to support this claim?
- How large is the potential market for your product, and is it growing?
- Can your business scale over time?
Competition
In the market and product section, the competition slide is a crucial part of the pitch, particularly in the pre-seed stage. Research shows that VCs will spend 55 seconds looking at this slide, and it's essential to make the most of this time.
To effectively showcase your competition, include a full SWOT analysis for each competitor, visually represented to highlight their strengths and weaknesses. This will give VCs a clear understanding of where your point of difference lies.
By presenting your competition in a clear and concise manner, you'll demonstrate to VCs that you've thoughtfully considered the market and your place within it.
Product
Designing a product can be a costly exercise, but it's critical to get right as it forms the foundation of your MVP and beyond.
At the pre-seed stage, you don't have a product to give investors a hands-on experience with, so you'll need to rely on a designer mock-up to show how your product will work.
Having a designer mock-up can highlight the revolutionary aspects of your product, just like the founders of Tinder did with their "swipe left/right" core.
Investors want to see a clear vision for your product, and a mock-up can help you communicate that effectively.
Developing your product is a key use of pre-seed funding, allowing you to add new features, make improvements, and attract new customers.
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