The Deal cover image

The Deal

Elizabeth Yin—Hustle Fund

Apr 14, 2023
Elizabeth Yin, Co-Founder and General Partner at Hustle Fund, shares her insights on early-stage venture capital. She clarifies misconceptions about funding accessibility for pre-seed startups and emphasizes the power dynamics in fundraising. Elizabeth discusses the impact of current market conditions on investor interest and highlights emerging opportunities influenced by Gen Z and millennials. She also contrasts startup ecosystems in the US and Southeast Asia and provides effective frameworks for customer acquisition and business viability.
53:40

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Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Pre-seed investment is challenging as most venture capitalists prefer companies showing significant traction rather than pre-revenue startups.
  • Establishing urgency in funding rounds is critical for founders to encourage timely investment decisions from cautious VCs.

Deep dives

Understanding Pre-Seed Investment Dynamics

Pre-seed investment typically occurs at the earliest stages of a startup's development, often involving companies that are not yet generating revenue. Investment at this level is relatively rare among venture capitalists, who generally prefer to engage when companies demonstrate significant traction, such as substantial revenue figures. This discrepancy creates a unique challenge for founders seeking capital at initial stages, as many VCs may show interest in meetings but have little incentive to invest until the startup has proven its potential. As a result, founders must navigate a landscape where securing funding is far more challenging than it appears, particularly at pre-revenue stages.

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