Published on: 06/05/2025
By Aastha Thilwal
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If you’re a founder in India, you’ve probably heard it before: “It’s all about who you know.” The venture capital (VC) ecosystem in India is growing rapidly, with many eager to invest in the next big startup. But if you’re starting from zero no contacts, no mentor introductions, no prior access the journey to secure pre-seed funding can feel like a nightmare.
This blog isn’t about what pre-seed funding means or why it matters. You already know that. Instead, we’ll dive into the harsh reality of trying to break into venture capital in India with no network and, more importantly, how to overcome this challenge to connect with the best pre-seed VC in India.
Venture capitalists (VCs) in India get hundreds or even thousands of startup ideas every month. Because of this, they have to be very careful about which startups they choose to invest in. When it comes to very early-stage funding, like pre-seed funding Indian VCs usually prefer to invest in people they already know or who come recommended by someone they trust. This is different from some other countries where cold emails or messages can sometimes work.
If you don’t have any connections, getting a VC’s attention can feel almost impossible. This is what many founders call the “no network” problem. Most VCs want to invest in founders they have met before or who have been introduced to them by someone they trust. Since investing early is risky, they rely a lot on personal recommendations to decide who to back.
Even though the startup world in India is growing and becoming more open, the communities are still quite close-knit. This means new founders might not know where to begin or who to talk to. Without a network, it’s hard to find mentors, get introductions, or figure out which investors are the best for your startup.
But don’t worry even if you start with no connections, it’s not impossible to build relationships and find funding. It takes time and effort, but there are ways to connect with investors and grow your network step by step.
If you’re a first-time founder trying to raise your first cheque and don’t know any investors, it can feel overwhelming. But the truth is, you can still build strong connections in the venture capital world even if you’re starting with zero contacts. The steps below will help you slowly get noticed, build genuine relationships, and understand how to get pre-seed funding in India by taking small, consistent actions that make a real difference.
Instead of directly reaching out to VCs, start by connecting with other startup founders, especially those who are one or two steps ahead of you. Founders who have recently raised pre-seed or seed rounds often have fresh experience, helpful advice, and warm VC contacts. Most importantly, they understand what you’re going through. Engaging with founders can give you a better sense of what VCs are looking for, how they think, and how to prepare for conversations.
Go to local events, join founder-focused WhatsApp or Slack groups, and genuinely support others’ work. These relationships take time, but they’re often the most powerful path into the VC world. Over time, these founders can introduce you to the right investors or even vouch for you giving you the credibility most VCs need before taking a meeting.
If no one knows what you’re building, it’s much harder to get noticed. That’s why building in public sharing your startup journey openly online can help create visibility and attract attention from investors and founders alike. You can use platforms like LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter), or even Instagram to post about what you’re building, the problems you’re solving, lessons you’re learning, and the small wins along the way.
When people see your consistency and clarity, they begin to trust you. Over time, this builds your personal brand. And when the time comes to raise, you’ll already have a few people following your journey some of whom might be angel investors or connected to the best pre-seed VC in India. Plus, it makes cold outreach easier when people already recognize your name or startup.
Before you ask for anything money, mentorship, or introductions try to give something first. When you’re starting with no network, this one mindset shift can change everything. You might not have money or influence, but you can still offer value. Maybe you help a founder test their product, create a helpful summary of a podcast they appeared in, or introduce them to a potential customer.
When you do this with no expectations, people remember you. And over time, they’ll want to help you back. This could mean connecting you with an investor, reviewing your pitch deck, or just cheering you on publicly. It’s these small, genuine actions that help you break into venture capital in India without feeling transactional or desperate.
One of the most underrated ways to meet investors and fellow founders is by showing up at startup events, pitch nights, and demo days. These are the places where the VC community comes together. Even if you’re not pitching, just being in the room can help. You learn how others present their ideas, understand what questions investors ask, and slowly become a familiar face.
Start with local meetups or programs by incubators and accelerators. Later, you can attend larger conferences or apply to pitch at demo days. Sometimes, just asking a smart question during the Q&A or following up with someone after a panel can open doors. Being present in these spaces helps you naturally connect with people who are already part of the funding ecosystem.
Once you’ve started making founder friends or have mentors in your corner, don’t hesitate to ask for introductions. Warm intros are still one of the most reliable ways to connect with the best pre-seed VC in India. But be thoughtful. Don’t just ask, “Can you introduce me to VCs?” Instead, be specific. Share why you’re reaching out, what your startup does, and what kind of investor you’re looking for.
When someone vouches for you, it builds instant credibility and increases your chances of getting a response. And when that happens, your journey to getting pre-seed funding in India becomes a lot smoother. Even a short coffee chat with the right VC can turn into a long-term relationship, especially if you’re honest, clear, and prepared.
For a long time, it felt like only people who had the right contacts or came from big colleges could get funding in India. But now, that’s starting to change.
Some of the best pre-seed VCs in India are working to make things fairer. They know that great founders can come from anywhere, not just top-tier colleges or well-known companies. So, they’re trying new ways to find and support these founders, even if they don’t have any network.
Many of these VCs now run open applications so anyone can apply. No warm introduction needed. Some even host online pitch sessions, offer open office hours, or partner with startup programs in smaller cities. These steps help them discover fresh talent early.
If you’re trying to get pre-seed funding in India, look for VCs that clearly explain how to approach them. Check their websites or LinkedIn. Some of them talk openly about what kind of founders they back, what stage they invest in, and how you can get in touch.
When you apply, just be honest. Tell your story clearly. You don’t need fancy words or a perfect product. What matters most is your clarity and commitment. VCs want to know you’re serious, curious, and ready to learn.
So even if you’re starting from zero, don’t give up. The best pre-seed VC in India might actually be looking for someone just like you. All you need is to show up, share what you’re building, and keep going.
Let’s face it: not having a network makes things harder. But it doesn’t make them impossible.
You now know why building VC connections in India is tough and you’ve also seen the steps that can help. We talked about meeting other founders, building in public, joining startup communities, and reaching out to the right people. These aren’t shortcuts, but they work.
Remember, more and more VCs are now trying to make funding more open and fair. Especially the best pre-seed VCs in India. They’re not just looking at your background, they’re looking at your drive.
So if you’re asking yourself, “How do I get pre-seed funding in India?” or “How can I break into venture capital in India without knowing anyone?”
The answer is simple: start. Reach out. Share your journey. Learn. And don’t stop.
Yes. At the pre-seed stage, many VCs are okay if you don’t have a fancy pitch deck. If you can explain your idea clearly what problem you’re solving and why you care about it they might still want to talk to you.
Sometimes, yes. It’s not common, but if your message is short, clear, and shows that you’ve done your homework, they may respond. Mention something they’ve invested in or shared before it helps. But building a public presence along with cold outreach works even better.
It’s not a must, but it really helps. When you share your startup journey online on LinkedIn, Twitter, etc. VCs can see your work and your passion. That’s how some unknown founders get spotted, even without a network.
