Pre-Seed Investors and Venture Capital Firms

Last update: December 22, 2024

Browse OpenVC's list of pre-seed investors and VCs that support founders in the early days of founding their business.

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Learn more about pre-seed funding

Pre-seed funding is the earliest stage of startup financing. It’s for founders with a vision, but often without a fully developed product or roadmap. This round helps you cover the basics: building an MVP, hiring a small team, or validating your idea in the market. Pre-seed funding is typically smaller than later rounds, ranging from $50,000 to $500,000.

At this stage, investors bet on you as a founder and the potential of your idea, rather than proven metrics. Pre-seed is meant for getting your startup off the ground and ready to attract bigger investors down the line.

On average, pre-seed investors take between 5% and 20% of equity, but this can vary depending on the size of the round and the valuation. The goal is to raise enough money to hit key milestones without giving away too much of your company early. Keep in mind, investors want you motivated to build, so they’ll often avoid taking a stake that feels excessive. If someone’s asking for 50% or more, it’s likely a red flag.

You’re should begin exploring pre-seed funding when:

1. Your idea is validated: You’ve done market research and know there’s a real problem to solve.
2. You have a plan: You can clearly explain how the funding will be used to reach your next milestones.
3. You’ve built something tangible: Whether it’s an MVP, a prototype, or early user traction, you’ve shown progress.
4. You’re committed: Investors want to see that you’re all-in and serious about building your company.

If these boxes are checked, you’re likely in a strong position to start conversations with investors.

Start by using OpenVC to discover investors who align with your industry, location, and funding stage. Filter the database to find the right match, then research each investor to personalize your outreach. When you find a potential match, reach out and and share your pitch deck. Keep your pitch clear and concise: explain your startup, what problem you’re solving, and why you have the right team to pursue it.

OpenVC makes connecting simple—many investors on the platform provide contact details or submission forms. Take advantage of this transparency and send professional, thoughtful messages. Most importantly, follow up if you don’t hear back, and always be ready to answer questions about your business.

In addition to this list, you can browse OpenVC's complete directory of 5,000+ investors.

Pre-seed funding often comes from angel investors, accelerators, incubators, or friends and family. Traditional VCs rarely play at this stage - they prefer startups with some traction. If you are seeking venture-based funding, your best luck is with smaller firms or micro-VCs that specialize in early-stage companies.

OpenVC startups have raised
$1+ billion from:

Sequoia, A16Z, Y Combinator, Antler, Accel, SOSV, Microsoft, Google, NASA & Kleiner Perkins.