<ul><li>Raising capital as a pre-seed founder in 2025 means navigating changing rules in traditional VC funding.</li><li>Capital stacking offers a strategy to fund a startup without compromising vision or equity.</li><li>A pre-seed capital stack typically includes grants, credit, convertible instruments, and equity.</li><li>Start with grants, the most founder-friendly funding, regardless of early stage.</li><li>Credit can be a strategic tool to extend runway, but use it wisely to avoid delays in failure.</li><li>Understand convertible instruments like SAFE notes and STACK Note to make informed decisions.</li><li>Create a funding readiness checklist before pitching to ensure clarity and preparedness.</li><li>Plan fundraising with multiple phases: discovery, application, preparation, milestone proof, investor outreach, and close.</li><li>Consider alternative platforms that blend funding models for a tailored approach.</li><li>Protect ownership by funding wisely and preserving negotiation leverage for future rounds.</li></ul>

Capital Stack Funding Toolkit for Pre-Seed Founders

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