Pre-Seed
Also called Pre-Seed Round
The earliest institutional money a startup raises, usually to go from an idea or prototype to a first version and a little evidence people want it. Often comes from angels, pre-seed funds, or an accelerator, on a SAFE or note.
Why it matters
It is the round that buys you the runway to find something worth a seed round. Raising it well means raising just enough on clean terms without overselling a story you cannot yet back with data.
For example
Two founders raise 1.5 crore on a SAFE from angels to build a prototype and land their first ten users before attempting a seed round.
Go deeper
Related terms
Also in Starting Up
See how founders actually handle this on Raising your first round, part of the Starting Up hub.
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