Seed Round
Also called Seed Funding and Seed
The first proper round most startups raise, meant to take a validated idea to product-market fit and early revenue. Sizes vary widely, and it is where dedicated seed funds and angels usually lead.
Why it matters
The seed is about buying enough runway to prove the model works. What you promise here sets the bar you have to clear to raise a Series A, so the story and the milestones need to line up.
For example
With a working product and early revenue, a startup raises a 6 crore seed led by a dedicated seed fund to reach product-market fit.
Worth your time
A Guide to Seed Fundraising
YC's end-to-end walkthrough of a seed round: how much to raise, from whom, on what instrument, and how the mechanics actually work.
How to Raise Money
Graham's field guide to the psychology and tactics of raising, why to get to a lead, why to be default alive, and how founders talk themselves into bad rounds.
How Funding Rounds Differ: Seed, Series A, Series B, and C
A clear map of what each round is actually for and what you need to have proven to raise it, so you know where a seed sits in the sequence.
Related terms
Go deeper
See how founders actually handle this on Raising your first round, part of the Starting Up hub.
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