India’s startup ecosystem is snowballing, but early-stage founders still face a major hurdle: lack of accessible pre-seed funding. As seed cheques grow and the focus shifts to scaling, many startups struggle to secure the initial capital needed to launch. This funding gap often leads to premature scaling and failure.
As the first dedicated guide to raising pre-seed capital in India, The Pre-seed Playbook aims to serve as a much-needed roadmap to navigate the complexities of the pre-seed funding stage and lay a solid foundation for long-term success.
The Pain Points Of Starting Up
(According to a primary survey of >500 founders)
83% feel ready for pre-seed funding;
60%+ struggle to find investors.
70% first-time founders struggle with building credibility.
92.9% believe investor support beyond capital is vital for success.
80% say resources and mentorship enhance their funding chances.
Insights From Industry Experts
Pearl Agarwal
Founder and Managing Partner,
Eximius Ventures
Arvind Radhakrishnan
Head of WeWork Labs,
WeWork India
Thought Leaders
ABOUT EXIMIUS VENTURES
Eximius Ventures is a dedicated pre-seed fund that combines smart capital with deep industry expertise, following a thesis-driven approach focused on sectors like FinTech, SaaS, and Consumer AI. We invest up to $500K for 10% equity, reserving a substantial amount for follow-on funding. We aim to back exceptional founders who leverage India’s demographic advantage to scale globally. In addition to funding, we provide strategic support through a dedicated platform, having backed notable companies such as Vegapay, STAN, Finarkein, Skydo, Jar, Shuru, and Eka.care.
ABOUT WEWORK LABS
At WeWork Labs, we are committed to creating a hub for business innovation. Our platform empowers early-stage ventures to tap into a global community of experts and mentors, along with access to our spaces at subsidised rates. Founders also benefit from exclusive networking opportunities and tailored resources designed to support their growth. Additionally, WeWork Labs provides access to pre-seed and seed capital for startups, further enhancing their potential for success.
