Pre-seed funds 2026

Afore Capital

San Francisco

Pre-seed fund that describes itself as "a $500M fund" investing in pre-traction companies. Also runs a Founder-in-Residence program for founders with only an idea.

Stage

Pre-seed: "pre-traction, pre-everything companies"

Cheque

$500K–$2M+

Focus

Generalist

• Invests $500K–$2M+ with "high conviction"
• Founder-in-Residence program for idea-stage founders
• No general pitch form on its site

Boldstart Ventures

Ed Sim, Eliot Durbin, Ellen Chisa

Calls itself "The Inception Fund" and wants to hear from technical founders even before there is a company.

Stage

Inception: "First checks for technical founders since 2010"

Cheque

$500K–$15M first cheque

Focus

Cybersecurity, AI infrastructure, physical AI, agents

• Writes the first cheque, from $500K to $15M
• Will talk to founders before the company exists
• Portfolio includes developer-first companies such as Snyk

Calls itself "the most active business angel in the world": backs 2 startups a week, about 100 new deals a year.

Stage

Any stage (not pre-seed only)

Cheque

150k one-off tickets

Focus

Any sector

• Backs 2 startups per week
• 150k one-off tickets in 100 new deals per year
• Any stage, deal size and sector

Kindred Ventures

Steve Jang, Founder & Managing Partner; Kanyi Maqubela, Managing Partner · San Francisco

Invests in technology startups in their earliest rounds and often helps form and fund new companies. 100+ startups backed.

Stage

Earliest rounds, primarily pre-seed and seed

Cheque

Not stated on its site

Focus

Technology and science

• "Primarily pre-seed and seed"
• 100+ startups backed
• Portfolio includes Uber, Coinbase and Perplexity

Pareto Holdings

Edward Lando, Partner · United States; invests worldwide

Early-stage investor that has never raised outside capital. Also runs the Pareto Fellowship.

Stage

Early stage, "from day 0"

Cheque

Not stated on its site

Focus

Generalist

• "Never raised any outside capital — free by design"
• Supports founders "from day 0"
• Open application form on its site

Pear VC

Early-stage firm that runs PearX, a program for pre-seed founders, with applications open all year.

Stage

Pre-seed and seed (PearX is for pre-seed founders)

Cheque

$500K–$2M (PearX)

Focus

Generalist

• PearX invests $500K–$2M depending on stage and capital needs
• Targets 7% ownership in most companies
• Every application is reviewed by a Pear investor

Precursor Ventures

Charles Hudson, Managing Partner · San Francisco; invests in the USA, Canada and Mexico

Wants to invest in your first institutional round, with no traction or metrics requirements.

Stage

Pre-seed and seed

Cheque

Up to $500,000

Focus

Generalist

• "We want to invest in your first institutional round of investment"
• No requirements for traction or metrics
• Aims to leave room for other investors in the round

Unshackled Ventures

Backs immigrant founders with the first cheque and handles their visa as part of the investment.

Stage

Inception ("day zero"): pre-product, pre-traction, pre-revenue

Cheque

Not stated on its site

Focus

Immigrant founders

• Visa handled for founders it invests in, at no cost to them
• "First check is our sweet spot"
• Immigration, community and fundraising support in one fund

Village Global

Early-stage fund built as a network of 400+ founders, operator angels and LPs. Lists Reid Hoffman, Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg among its backers.

Stage

Leads pre-seed and seed rounds, pre-traction and pre-revenue

Cheque

Not stated on its site

Focus

Generalist, across sectors and geographies

• "We're happy to be your first investor, pre-traction and pre-revenue"
• Network of 400+ founders, operator angels and LPs
• Best reached through a warm introduction or the Velocity program