Published on: 05/21/2025
By Laksh Sharma
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Raising your first round of funding as a startup founder can feel overwhelming especially in India’s competitive ecosystem. With hundreds of early-stage startups launching every month, how do you stand out and get the attention of investors?
The good news is: you don’t need to spend months waiting. With the right roadmap, you can move from MVP (minimum viable product) to anchor investor commitment in just 30 days.
This blog offers you a day-by-day playbook on how to get pre-seed funding in India, built from real-world founder experiences, investor insights, and the support of startup mentors.
Let’s dive in.
→ Your product should be demo-ready, and your narrative should show why you, why now.
→ Don’t spam be intentional. Focus on warm intros and tiered outreach.
→ Practice with mentors, founders, and anyone who can challenge your assumptions.
→ Get soft commitments, share progress updates, and move fast to close.
→ Pre-seed fundraising in India is driven by relationships. Don’t oversell. Build genuine connections.
The first week is all about laying a solid foundation. At the pre-seed stage, investors don’t expect a polished product or million-dollar revenue. But what they do expect is that you understand your customer, have clarity about the problem you’re solving, and can tell a powerful story that makes them want to believe in your vision. That’s why your MVP (Minimum Viable Product) and your pitch are your strongest assets. They’re your way of saying, “I’ve done the groundwork, and I’m ready to build.”
Before you even think about raising capital, your idea needs validation. It’s not enough to believe that people might want your product. You need to prove that they do. Start by narrowing down who your early target customers are. These are not just broad segments like “millennials” or “small businesses,” but real people with specific needs and frustrations that your product can solve right now. Understanding their behavior, motivations, and challenges is key.
Even if your product isn’t fully built, there are ways to start getting feedback. Set up simple landing pages that explain your core offering. Create clickable prototypes that show how the product might work. Use waitlists or signup forms to measure real interest. You can even launch a very basic version with limited features to start conversations.
The most important part of this phase is talking to potential users. Try to have genuine conversations with at least 20–30 people. Ask them what problem they’re facing, what they currently use to solve it, and what they wish existed. Don’t just listen to compliments, look for patterns in what they say, the features they’re drawn to, and the barriers that might stop them from using your product.
Words are useful, but actions speak louder. Pay attention to signals that show genuine interest: pre-orders, signups, shares, or even small payments. These are strong indicators that you’re on the right track. Make sure to document everything. The recurring themes, the feedback, the resistance all of this becomes part of your validation report. This report won’t just help you refine your product; it also becomes a powerful section in your pitch deck later, showing investors that you’ve done your homework.
With validation in place, it’s time to give your MVP the attention it needs. The goal here is not to build something perfect, but to create a product that clearly demonstrates your core value. In other words, when someone uses it, they should immediately understand what problem it solves and why it matters.
Start by fixing any major bugs that block the user from experiencing the product properly. If someone can’t complete the signup process or access key features, they’ll drop off quickly and so will investor interest. Make sure the onboarding is intuitive. When a user logs in, do they know what to do next? Are they guided step-by-step, or left confused? The first few minutes should lead them to an “aha” moment, the one feature or benefit that makes them go, “Wow, this is useful.”
This “wow moment” is different for every product. In a fintech app, it might be seeing their savings grow instantly. In a SaaS product, maybe it’s generating a complex report in seconds. Whatever it is, make sure that moment happens early in the user journey and that it’s frictionless.
Even with a basic MVP, start tracking a few important metrics. How many users complete setup (activation rate)? How many return after Day 1 (retention)? How many take deeper actions like subscribing or paying (conversion)? These numbers give you insight into what’s working and what’s not.
And finally, prepare a short product demo. When you get on investor calls, they won’t just take your word for it they’ll want to see the product in action. A 2–3 minute walkthrough that shows how a user interacts with your product, what it does, and why it stands out can make a big impact.
With a validated idea and a functioning MVP, it’s time to pull it all together with a story that resonates. Investors don’t just invest in ideas; they invest in people and purpose. Your story is how you show them you’re not just solving a problem you’re meant to solve it.
Start by putting together a simple one-pager that clearly outlines the key pieces. What’s the problem you’re solving? Who faces this problem, and why is it important? What’s your solution, and how does it address the issue? How big is the opportunity, and who else is trying to tackle it? And finally, why are you and your team the right people to make this happen? Keep this document clear, concise, and compelling.
You’ll also want to refine your 60-second elevator pitch. This is your answer to “What does your startup do?” and it should roll off your tongue naturally. A good pitch covers the problem, the solution, and why now is the perfect time to launch.
For example: “We help small retailers in India automate inventory using AI, so they save hours of manual work and avoid stockouts. We live in 50 stores and are growing 30% month-over-month.”
Don’t forget the “why now” factor. Investors are always asking themselves: is the timing right? Is there a shift in consumer behavior, a regulatory push, or a technological breakthrough that makes this the perfect moment? Address that directly in your pitch.
Lastly, make it personal. What inspired you to start this? Did you face this problem yourself? Have you worked in the industry for years and seen the inefficiencies up close? That emotional hook builds trust and makes your pitch memorable.
With your MVP ready and your story refined, it’s time to shift gears from preparation to action. The second week is all about creating momentum reaching out to the right people, opening doors to early conversations, and planting the seeds for future funding. At the pre-seed stage, investors aren’t just investing in your product. They’re investing in you, your vision, and your ability to build relationships. When they see early traction, a strong story, and a well-connected founder, they’re more likely to
lean in.
The first step is to create a thoughtful and focused list of potential investors. Sending cold emails to random VCs rarely gets you anywhere. Instead, you need to target people who have a track record of investing in startups like yours, those who understand your space, your stage, and your market.
Start by identifying 30 to 50 relevant investors. This could include angel investors, micro-VCs, syndicates, and accelerators that are active in your sector be it fintech, SaaS, healthtech, or others. Focus on those who have written pre-seed or seed cheques in India.
Once you have a rough list, spend some time learning about them. Go through their past investments to understand what kinds of companies they’ve backed. Check their public presence: are they active on LinkedIn or X (formerly Twitter)? Have they been on podcasts or written blog posts about what they look for? This will help you understand their investment thesis and tailor your approach accordingly.
After that, it helps to categorize your list into tiers. Tier 1 could be your dream investor, the 10 to 15 people you’d be most excited to bring on board. Tier 2 can be 15 to 20 solid fits who may not be as high-profile but still align well with your vision. Tier 3 can include emerging angels, lesser-known syndicates, or accelerator leads who can be great early backers.
To stay organized, create a simple tracker using Google Sheets or Airtable. Include details like the investor’s name, firm, contact information, why you think they’re a fit, who can introduce you to them (if anyone), and the status of your outreach.
Now that your list is ready, it’s time to get introductions. In the startup world, warm introductions are at least ten times more effective than cold emails. Your job is to identify who in your circle can help you reach these investors.
Start by mapping out your extended network. Think of founder friends who’ve raised money before, ex-colleagues who’ve worked in startups, mentors from programs or universities, alumni from your school or MBA program, and industry professionals you trust. You might be surprised at how many helpful connections you already have.
When you’re ready to reach out, keep your message short, polite, and specific. Introduce yourself and what your startup does in one or two lines. Mention that you’re planning a small pre-seed round and that you noticed they might be connected to someone on your list. Ask if they’d be open to making a brief intro, and make it clear that there’s no pressure.
For example:
“Hey [Name], hope you’re doing well! I recently started [Startup Name], where we’re solving [problem] by [your solution]. We’re seeing early traction and planning a small pre-seed round. I noticed you’re connected to [Investor Name]. Would you be open to introducing us? I totally understand if it’s not possible just thought I’d ask. Thanks so much!”
Always respect people’s time. Attach a one-pager if you have one, don’t follow up too aggressively, and send a gentle nudge only if you haven’t heard back in four or five days. And remember sometimes the best connections come from people you didn’t expect. So cast your net wide.
As the week progresses, your goal should be to start talking to investors but in a low-pressure way. These aren’t formal fundraising meetings yet. Think of them as early, exploratory conversations like informational interviews where both sides get to know each other.
When you get on a call, keep the tone casual and enthusiastic. Share why you’re excited about the problem you’re solving and how your solution is coming together. Let them know you’re preparing for a pre-seed round, not rushing into one, and that you’d love their feedback on your approach.
It’s helpful to have a light ask maybe you want their take on your go-to-market strategy, or you’re looking for advice on product-market fit. You can also ask if they’d recommend other people you should meet. If they seem genuinely interested, it’s okay to mention that you’re raising and would be happy to keep them in the loop.
Make sure you’re prepared with a one-pager and a simple product demo. Know your elevator pitch inside out. If the investor asks, be ready to share a draft pitch deck but don’t send it in your first email or message.
Also, don’t forget to make the most of startup communities. If you’re part of an accelerator or mentorship program, lean on them to make introductions. Attend pitch events, startup meetups, or local demo days. Tapping into India’s rich ecosystem through platforms like TiE chapters, Nasscom hubs, or state startup missions can open a lot of doors.
After each call, jot down key notes on what they liked, any concerns, next steps, and when to follow up. Keeping track will help you stay organized and build stronger relationships over time.
Now that you’ve built momentum and started getting early conversations going, it’s time to sharpen your fundraising toolkit. Week 3 is all about refining your pitch, practicing it in safe circles, and starting formal investor meetings with clarity and confidence.
Your pitch deck is the first thing investors will look at so make it clean, sharp, and easy to digest. Aim for a simple 8–10 slide deck that tells your story clearly. Start by laying out the problem you’re solving, followed by your solution. Then give them a sense of the opportunity with a snapshot of the market size. Add a couple of product screenshots or a short demo to show what you’ve built.
Share any traction or early user feedback you’ve gathered, explain how your business model works, and introduce your team. Finally, end with how much you’re looking to raise and how you plan to use the funds.
Keep your slides visual, avoid long paragraphs and heavy text. Use headlines, icons, and clean layouts. A deck that’s easy on the eyes gets far more attention than one that tries to explain everything in text.
Before you start pitching to real investors, practice with people you trust. Fellow founders, mentors, or friends who’ve raised money or have investing experience can offer valuable feedback. Ask them to be honest and challenge you. The goal here isn’t just to get compliments, it’s to catch blind spots and tighten your narrative.
Expect common investor questions: Why is now the right time for this idea? Why are you the right person to build it? How do you plan to acquire customers? Your answers don’t have to be perfect, but they should feel authentic, clear, and well thought out. Use this time to build your confidence and refine your delivery.
By now, you should be ready to start having actual investor conversations. But remember this isn’t just about pitching. It’s about building relationships. Don’t try to hard-sell or push for commitments right away. Instead, focus on listening. What do they get excited about? What are their concerns?
After each meeting, send a polite, concise thank-you note. If they showed interest, keep them in the loop. If they have concerns, address them thoughtfully in your follow-up. Small touches like these go a long way in building trust.
In India’s pre-seed ecosystem, fundraising is largely relationship-driven. Founders who succeed often do so not just because of their product but because investors believe in them. So take your time, be genuine, and focus on long-term relationships over short-term wins.
You’ve done the groundwork, built your MVP, crafted your story, lined up investors, and started conversations. Now comes the most crucial part of the month: securing your anchor investor. This is the commitment that often tips the rest of the round in your favor. Week 4 is about locking that in and using it to create momentum.
An anchor investor is usually the first serious “yes” in your round, someone who brings not just money, but credibility. It could be a respected angel investor, a micro VC partner, or even a lead from an accelerator you’re part of. Their commitment acts as a signal to others. Once you have a strong name backing you, it’s easier to convince the next set of investors. So during these days, focus your energy on those who’ve shown the most interest and are influential enough to move the needle.
When you feel someone is ready to commit, be prepared to talk through the terms. These usually include the valuation, cheque size, expected dilution, and timeline. Keep things simple and founder-friendly. At the pre-seed stage, SAFE notes or convertible notes work well; they allow you to move quickly without getting stuck in complex equity discussions. The goal isn’t to lock down every detail right away but to create alignment and mutual comfort.
Once you’ve aligned on the terms, the next step is to get a soft commitment of a “yes, I’m in” along with an approximate cheque size. This isn’t about signing final paperwork yet, but about confirming intent. Also, be transparent about your timeline. A simple message like “We’re looking to close the round by [date]. Would you be open to anchoring this?” helps create clarity and urgency without pressure. Most experienced investors will appreciate that.
As you close out the month, it’s important to signal progress subtly, but effectively. Without breaking any confidentiality, start updating your investor pipeline: mark your anchor investor as “committed” and others as “in final talks” where appropriate. You can also share small updates about product progress, user traction, or partnerships. These updates help create a sense of FOMO (fear of missing out) among others watching your journey, without coming off as salesy or overhyped.
If you’re trying to raise pre-seed funding in India, here’s something important to remember: it’s not just about having a great product. It’s also about how fast you move, how focused you are, and who’s in your network.
This 30-day plan helps you do all of that. You work on your product, craft a strong story, and build a list of the right investors. Most importantly, you create momentum. And once you get that first “yes” from an anchor investor, others will start paying attention.
Also, don’t forget the power of community. India’s startup ecosystem is full of people willing to help through startup mentorship and VC support India networks, including accelerators, mentors, founders, and VC groups. Ask for intros, join programs, and talk to people who’ve done this before. You’ll be surprised by how many are willing to support you.
Raising funds at the pre-seed stage isn’t about luck. It’s a step-by-step process. And now, you’ve got the plan to make it happen.
Not always. At the pre-seed stage, investors care more about you and your vision. It’s okay to first have a casual chat. If they’re interested, then share your deck.
Yes. Many founders start with just angels, syndicates, or accelerator programs. You don’t need a big VC firm to begin angels can open the right doors and move fast.
No worries. An anchor helps, but you can still raise without one. Just show progress, stack smaller commitments together, and keep the energy up.
