<ul data-eligibleForWebStory="false"><li>At the pre-seed stage, startups are evaluated based on pitch decks, founding team, and early signs of promise by experienced investors.</li><li>Investors look for founder-market fit, clarity of vision, and potential for execution using mental shortcuts known as 'flags'.</li><li>Green flags like scrappy traction, intellectual honesty, founder insight, 'why now?' clarity, bias to build and ship, and market command spark curiosity.</li><li>Red flags including chasing trends without depth, fuzzy GTM strategy, fundraising over product, founder friction, lack of learning evidence, and missing critical talent make investors hesitate.</li><li>Pre-seed investing focuses on backing people who can navigate uncertainty, learn quickly, and execute with urgency.</li><li>Founders seeking pre-seed funding are encouraged to seek feedback, as there are no fixed rules for all cases.</li><li>Eligible for Web Story: No</li></ul>

Betting on People: What VCs Look for at the Pre-Seed Stage

Discover more