Pre-Seed investors in Europe: how to find and secure early-stage funding

The early days of a startup are exhilarating–and, let’s be honest, a bit daunting. You have a bold idea, a small but determined team, and a vision that keeps you awake at night. Yet one challenge keeps popping up: how to actually get pre seed funding for startups. Europe is quickly becoming a hotspot for founders, offering not just capital, but a network of investors, programs, and resources tailored to those just starting out. Knowing how to reach the right pre seed investors–and secure their support–can be the difference between an idea that fizzles out and a startup that scales into something real and lasting.

What is Pre-Seed funding and what does Pre-Seed mean

A pre-seed round marks the very first structured investment in a startup, often coming before the business has real revenue or traction. Unlike later seed or Series A rounds, pre-seed funding focuses on laying the groundwork for growth. Typically, these funds are used to:

• Build the minimum viable product (MVP) and test its core functionality.
• Hire essential team members and set up the startup’s initial operations.
• Validate the startup idea, explore the market fit, and confirm early demand.
• Run experiments, gather feedback from early users, and refine hypotheses.

In Europe, pre-seed rounds usually fall between €50K and €500K, providing enough runway to move beyond bootstrapping. This stage gives founders the breathing room to iterate, prove traction, and prepare for larger funding rounds, setting the foundation for sustainable growth and scalability.

Pre-Seed funding for startups: who invests at this stage

Early-stage startups have access to a variety of investors:

• Angel investors Europe: individuals investing personal capital in promising ventures.
• Micro VCs: small venture funds specializing in pre-seed deals.
• Friends & family: initial support often combined with mentorship.
• Accelerators: programs such as Seedcamp, Entrepreneur First, and Antler provide both funding and a structured network.

European pre-seed investors tend to focus on founder potential, market opportunity, and early traction. They evaluate whether a startup is capable of executing its vision, rather than solely looking at metrics. For founders, this means demonstrating team capability, clarity of equity distribution, and the thought process behind the MVP.

How to get Pre-Seed funding: step-by-step guide

Securing pre seed funding for startups requires a structured approach:

1. Define funding needs: determine how much capital is required to reach key milestones.
2. Build a strong pitch deck: highlight the problem, solution, market size, and initial traction or prototype.
3. Engage with investors: seek warm introductions, attend startup events, and leverage network connections.
4. Choose the right instruments: consider SAFE notes, convertible notes, or equity, depending on investor preferences.
5. Prepare for due diligence: organize legal documentation, term sheet outlines, and ownership structure clearly.
6. Follow up and negotiate: communicate vision, defend valuation, and align expectations for future rounds.

Even without extensive revenue, founders can successfully attract startup funding by emphasizing team strengths, clarity of mission, and execution strategy.

How to raise Pre-Seed funding in Europe: regional differences

Europe’s startup landscape varies significantly by region:

• United Kingdom: mature ecosystem with SEIS/EIS tax incentives and active angel investors Europe networks.
• Germany: strong B2B focus, supported by EXIST grants and local micro VCs.
• France: La French Tech and BPI France provide capital and support programs for early-stage startups.
• Nordics: active angel networks, particularly in tech, gaming, and sustainability sectors.

Choosing the right market affects not only funding amounts but also access to mentors, syndicates, and strategic portfolio connections. Founders should assess both financial support and ecosystem alignment.

Pre-Seed round: what investors expect and how to prepare

At the pre-seed stage, investors focus less on metrics and more on the founders themselves:

• Team capability: skills, background, and cohesion of the founding team.
• Problem and market: clarity of the issue being solved and market potential.
• Execution plan: how the MVP will evolve and early traction achieved.

Structuring the pre-seed round requires careful consideration of:

• SAFE vs convertible notes vs equity: instruments that balance capital needs and future dilution.
• Valuation: typically modest at pre-seed, but clarity is critical for future rounds.
• Due diligence documents: legal agreements, ownership, and stakeholder structures must be transparent.

Successful founders present a clean, professional cap table, articulate runway projections, and show readiness to scale post-investment.

Conclusion

Accessing pre seed investors in Europe is about more than raising capital – it’s about connecting with partners who believe in your vision, your team, and your execution strategy. Early-stage funding is as much a vote of confidence as it is a financial transaction.

Founders ready to take the next step should start by preparing a solid pitch, building relationships with angel investors Europe, and engaging in accelerator programs. By focusing on the right networks, understanding regional nuances, and presenting a clear plan for startup funding, you position your venture for sustainable growth. Remember, at the pre-seed stage, investors invest in people – your commitment, your vision, and your ability to execute. Take action today, connect with European investors, and secure the funding that transforms ideas into thriving startups.