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A practical guide for early-stage founders who need to fundraise before having significant metrics. Learn what investors look for when traction isn't there yet.
Raising without traction is possible but challenging. Pre-seed investors expect: a strong team with relevant experience, a validated problem worth solving, a clear vision, and an MVP or prototype. Be realistic about your fundability.
Without metrics, investors bet on people. Highlight relevant industry experience, technical expertise, previous startup experience, or domain knowledge that gives you an unfair advantage in solving this problem.
Show that you've talked to 50+ potential customers and deeply understand their pain. Present interview insights, quotes, and patterns. Prove the problem is real, urgent, and people will pay to solve it.
Gather alternative signals: waitlist signups, letter of intents from potential customers, advisor commitments, pilot agreements, or partnership discussions. These show momentum without revenue.
Focus on pre-seed specialists, angel investors, and accelerators. Research investors who've funded similar-stage companies in your space. Avoid VCs who only invest with traction proof.
Explore grants, competitions, accelerators, or bootstrapping to get to traction first. Sometimes the best fundraising strategy is to delay fundraising and build more proof points.
A comprehensive guide to identifying the right investors for your startup and getting introductions. Learn the strategies that actually work.
Learn how to create a compelling pitch deck that captures investor attention. Follow our proven structure to tell your startup's story effectively.
A step-by-step guide to validating your startup idea before investing time and money. Learn how to test your assumptions and find product-market fit.