Our first check is $30,000 for 1.5%. We size it so we can show up like a partner when that still changes outcomes: early conversations when you need them, real help shipping and fundraising, and enough shared history that we can advocate for you to the next investors. We stay close without getting in your way.
We like to ideally be first check. If you have already raised from an institutional investor, we will consider those terms, but you will need to be exceptional.
No. We back earliest-stage US startups whether or not the founders are students. We prefer to meet you when you are a full-time student entrepreneur at a US university.
We invest in US-eligible companies. In practice we look at:
Headquarters / principal place of business
Where the founders live and work
Whether there is a real US operating company (not only a paper shell that owns a foreign company)
Whether the investment structure lets a US fund invest cleanly
A US entity on paper is not enough if the company and team are fully abroad.
No. You do not need to be incorporated to be selected. You do need an incorporated entity before we can complete the deal.
Not to introduce yourself. On Pitch Us, choose "Not yet" if you do not have a company. When you have something real, apply for that week's batch. Not selected? Re-apply when you have progress.
No, but if you have one there is an optional upload on the pitch form. Please don't waste time moving pixels around on a deck to impress investors; use that time to go get customers.
If we can still write you a first check, you may re-apply next week with progress. We fund every week there is a fundable company.
No. A warm intro is not required. Securing one is still a positive signal about you as an entrepreneur. On Pitch Us you can name who introduced you; we verify with them. The weight of that intro is only as strong as their history of referring great startups to us.
No. Do not cold email us, even if you found an address on an info-scraping site or elsewhere. If you are doing cold outreach, use the Pitch Us form. It saves everyone an extra email, gives you a decision faster, and shows you actually care about our potential relationship rather than spamming for any port in a storm.