Pre-seed to Succeed

Why don’t we just tell founders exactly what to do to raise their first funding? 🤔 This idea inspired us to share our overall 57 years of investing experience to help founders navigate the twists of fundraising and build resilient, fundable startups. Who are we? 🦄 We are Pre-Seed to Succeed (P2S) - not a typical VC fund or accelerator. P2S is a unique investment program with: ❌No “one-size-fits-all” approach ❌No batches ✅Personalised mentorship tailored to your startup ✅Two investment commitments: pre-seed and a 50% seed commitment for companies with proven traction ✅Quality networking that you’ll actually enjoy Think you’re a good fit for P2S? Let’s go over this checklist: 🔹 A strong full-time team with at least one “Hacker” (technical lead) and one “Hustler” (business lead). 🔹A clear business idea solving a real problem. 🔹A solid plan for how much funding you need and how you’ll use it to hit your next milestones. 🔹USA is your main market. 🔹You’re working in one of the following sectors: B2B, SaaS, fintech, AI, future of work, productivity tools and digital health. If you are a hundred percent fit, hit your application via the link: https://lnkd.in/dCa-y5Pv Behind Pre-Seed to Succeed there’s a team of startup enthusiasts who also happen to be managing partners at four VC funds: Igor Ryabenkiy - AltaIR Capital Sergei Bogdanov PhD🚀 - Yellow Rocks! Nikolay Kirpichnikov - Smart Partnership Capital Alexander Korchevsky - I2BF Global Ventures We are different, but our collective backgrounds let us look at each deal from multiple perspectives and hopefully spot hidden gems. So this is us, it’s nice to meet you! We’re excited to learn more about your work too - share with us what you’ve been focusing on lately in the comments.

12 May, San Francisco. It's Pitch & Drink with P2S: Where Founders Meet Investors. You're invited! 👋 Join us for an exclusive Pitch&Drink event on May 12 in San Francisco hosted by Pre-seed to Succeed, an investment program founded by AltaIR Capital, Yellow Rocks!, Smart Partnership Capital, and I2BF Global Ventures. If you are a startup with a full team (1 tech + 1 business lead), working MVP, and traction in B2B/SaaS, FinTech, AI, Future of Work, Productivity, Digital Health, or HR Tech - seems like you are the one we are looking for! Get a chance to be selected for the pitching session - apply here: 👉 https://lnkd.in/dCpif9VU Pitch&Drink features a speed-dating pitching format. You will have 2-3 minutes to deliver a concise elevator pitch (no slides) followed by 6-7 minutes of Q&A with investors. Every 10 minutes, participants will rotate to new conversations, maximizing networking opportunities. Event Schedule ⏳ : 5:00–7:00 PM - Exclusive pitching session for approved startups & investors 7:00 PM onward - Doors open for all guests (general networking) Why attend? To get live feedback on your pitch from top investors, expand your network with VCs and fellow founders in a fun and relaxed setting, and align your startup with investor expectations. Want to join? Find more info and submit your application here: https://lnkd.in/dCpif9VU? Don’t miss out! Let’s raise, connect, and succeed together!

P2S portfolio company Cloud Retail secures $3 million in Seed funding to revolutionize E-Commerce operations 🚀 Cloud Retail is an all-in-one e-commerce platform that empowers businesses to build their retail operations from the ground up. Whether you are going to launch a new online store, implement a warehouse management system, create a headless e-commerce solution, or integrate demand forecasting and replenishment (S&OP) into a complex supply chain, Cloud Retail has you covered. Since its origins as a 15-minute delivery service in London, delivering over 4500 orders daily, Cloud Retail has developed a substantial software stack that has allowed it to transform into a comprehensive e-commerce software platform, now securing $3 million in seed funding to accelerate its full-cycle retail management ecosystem. The funding round was led by Somersault Ventures with strong backing from Pre-seed to Succeed (AltaIR Capital, Yellow Rocks!, Smart Partnership Capital, I2BF Global Ventures). In P2S, we are happy to support dedicated founders like Marat Bolatov and Artur Shamalov, and talented teams who are rooting for their clients’ success. With clients spanning the UK, EU, and MENA regions, including Carrefour, CityDrinks UAE, Circle K, and Icelandic Trading Co., Cloud Retail is scaling fast and steadily. We’re excited to support Cloud Retail as it redefines digital commerce with modular, intelligent solutions that turn complexity into competitive advantage. https://lnkd.in/d3BTbPwr

Is Your Pre-Seed Team Lean Enough? Red Flags Investors Watch For 🚩 At the pre-seed stage, startups often have little revenue, traction, or even a finished product. That’s why investors focus heavily on the team behind the scenes. At Pre-seed to Succeed, we believe a solo founder can rarely build scalable products due to limited time and bandwidth. A well-balanced pre-seed startup team typically includes 2 to 4 core members with complementary skills, such as: •  Technical lead: Someone who can build the product (CTO or full-stack developer). •  Business/product lead: The one who understands the market, talks to users, and drives strategy (CEO, product manager, or growth lead). For startups with specific needs, like Gen AI algorithms, having an AI engineer on board is essential. A lean founding team works best, so avoid adding non-essential roles, like an operations manager, too early. At this stage, resources are scarce, and roles that don’t directly contribute to product development or market validation can dilute your focus. To make a strong impression, steer clear of these common pitfalls: •  Too many co-founders: Signals potential decision-making chaos. •  All business, no tech: Lacking an in-house builder is a red flag, except in specialized fields like biotech with research-heavy IP. •  Duplicated roles: Two people doing the same job (e.g., two CEOs or two PMs) raises concerns. For a standout pitch deck, make your team slide a “hall of fame,” showcasing professional qualifications, past achievements, and polished headshots to convey credibility. At P2S.vc, we’re passionate about backing strong pre-seed teams. Visit p2s.vc to learn more or submit your pitch 👇 https://p2s.vc/

Thrilling Update! Sergei Bogdanov PhD🚀, managing partner at Yellow Rocks! and co-founder of Pre-seed to Succeed, shares some insight for those celebrating their first raised Pre-Seed money in his latest article on Crunchbase News! 💸 Got pre-seed funding? Congratulations — now the real journey begins! Did you know 60% of startups burn through their initial funding before achieving key milestones? 🔍 Ever wondered: • What are the next moves after pre-seed funding? • How to avoid financial pitfalls and cash-traps at this stage? • Which steps should be taken to prepare for the next round? Sergei breaks down some pre-seed funding pitfalls and shares a framework for maximizing every dollar. Get the full perspective here: https://lnkd.in/dQdvfwdV #StartupFunding #FounderAdvice #PreSeedSuccess #PreSeedFunding

The ABCs of the pitch deck craftsmanship 🛠️ 🔤 In response to the urge to impress investors with a perfect pitch deck, founders often seek the services of consultants and agencies. While getting professional assistance isn’t inherently bad, it’s easy to overlook what truly matters in a pitch deck. Igor Ryabenkiy, Co-founder of Pre-seed to Succeed, Founder and Managing Partner at AltaIR Capital, shared the ABCs of a presentation that creates a good impression on investors. 💬 Your Storyline and Business Understanding "As an investor, I’m rarely impressed by fancy design and glossy charts in startup pitch decks. What really matters is how clearly the founder communicates their thinking. No one else can articulate your vision better. If your pitch deck doesn’t explain the problem, the solution, and your business model, no amount of visual polish will save it." 📊 Real Numbers and Metrics The "fake it till you make it" approach doesn’t work: investors are good at counting and can’t be fooled by any vanity metrics. The truth always comes to the surface at the screening stage or during due diligence, so make sure the numbers add up properly. Investors do not hope to get impressed by projections but see real scaling opportunities. Misrepresenting data, whether intentionally or accidentally, is a quick way to lose trust. ❓ The Whats, the Whys, the Hows, and the Whos Make sure your pitch deck answers 4 simple questions: - What are we doing? - Why are we doing this? - How are we going to do this? - Who are “we”? Crafting a strong pitch deck isn’t rocket science; it’s about clarity and focus. If your business model is solid and well-articulated, everything else will fall into place. What’s your take on the “fake it till you make it” strategy in pitch decks? Share your thoughts 👇 #pitch #pitchdeck #preseed #fundraising

What if investors don’t respond to your connection requests? 🤔 No worries, we've got you covered. Here are some tongue-in-cheek tips 😜 guaranteed to get you noticed (but maybe not in the way you’d hope): 📨 Reach out beyond the 9-to-5 People love surprises, and investors are no exception. Imagine how happy they’ll be to receive a message from a future unicorn at 3 a.m.  Nothing says “innovative” like catching them off guard! Bonus points if your pitch deck comes with a small riddle like a series of blurry screenshots from the Notes app. Who doesn’t love a little mystery? 😎 Flex Hard, Fake It Till You Make It No traction? No revenue? No problem! What matters most is your confidence and ambitions. Introduce your startup as the next “OpenAI, but with vibes” and watch the commitments roll in. 👥 Network Like a Ninja Direct eye contact can be risky (just ask anyone who’s dealt with stray dogs). To play it safe at networking events, avoid locking eyes with investors. Instead, hover near the snacks and try to vanish when someone tries to approach you. The secret guest will definitely spark curiosity. 📢 Every Interaction Is a Pitch Opportunity A random investor on a plane? Pitch. Elevator ride? You guessed it - pitch while drawing rising graphs in the air. You never know when opportunity will strike, so get ready to pitch at a moment’s notice. ✒️ Follow Up Like Your Life Depends On It Nothing screams "invest in me" like 37 unread emails and a LinkedIn request every time they sneeze. Wear investors down with your persistence until the fortress falls. In Pre-seed to Succeed, we advise you NOT TO FEEL FREE taking this advice seriously unless your goal is to achieve “spectacular failure” levels of comedy. Investors, how do you prefer to be reached out to by founders? Please share with us in the comments! #networking #startupnetworking #tips #preseed #seed #funding #fundraise

266 Applications, 15 Startup Pitches, 8 VC Funds - all at 1 incredible event 🔥 💫 As seasoned event-goers, we know that even after a great event, it’s okay to feel drained or fatigued. But that was not the case at the London Pitch Session for Startups! 🤗 The London startup community is so warm and vibrant that we enjoyed every moment of the event! It was wonderful reconnecting with old friends and meeting talented individuals from the local tech scene. Some projects have captured our sincere interest, and we hope for great partnerships to emerge. 🚀 A huge shoutout to Nurdaulet Bazylbekov and Eurasian Startup Hub for being our partner-in-crime for this event. This session wouldn’t have been possible without your support. 🙌 Special thanks to Timon Afinsky and Locals.org for helping us connect with the local startup ecosystem 💚 Nazerke K., Laert Karaashev, Alexander Nevinskiy, and Vlad Tropko — thank you for your time, expertise, and valuable insights. It was an honor to share the jury bench with you! Follow the Pre-seed to Succeed agenda to ensure you don’t miss the next opportunity to spend quality time with tech talents and investors. Check out the photo highlights from the London event! 👀 #London #event #networking #LondonStartups #UK #UKStartups

Can a single technological platform shape corporate culture? 🤜🤛 👨💻 While building a strong culture requires time and effort, here’s a solution that can unite hundreds of colleagues through team-building activities beyond just corporate trips and office parties. Stayf, a portfolio company of Pre-seed to Succeed, is transforming corporate culture. Co-founders Max Zhurilo and Kirill P. have created a unique platform that fosters connections within organizations through wellness events. 🏀 🏓 🎳 👥 Communication shouldn't be limited to task completion. Stayf helps connect people, not just employees. Through gamified networking and shared physical activities, Stayf boosts employee motivation and helps prevent burnout. Max Zhurilo shared: "In Oxford, I’m collaborating with the Wellbeing Lab, which contributes to the annual World Happiness Report. According to their data, one of the most significant factors influencing happiness is the level of physical and mental health. Physical health is foundational; without it, no progress can be made.” 🏄 🤝 Companies like Visa, Mars, Coca-Cola, Johnson and Johnson, InDrive, Playrix and the University of Oxford are already among Stayf’s customers. In a recent project called FinTech Charity Challenge, Stayf engaged European fintech companies such as Anna Money (UK), Paycent (UK), Flowchart (France), and Neon Labs (UK) competing against each other to support a charitable cause. 💸 At Pre-seed to Succeed, we're thrilled to have a startup with such a beautiful mission and great execution in our portfolio. With the support of AltaIR Capital, Smart Partnership Capital, and Yellow Rocks!, Stayf is poised for continued growth and is ready to transform the future of work. https://www.stayf.app/ #wellness #corporate #corporateculture #networking #HR #networking

👨💻 How will we work in the future? This question captivates millions as AI continues to integrate into everyday operations, human resource management, and decision-making. Instead of generating various scenarios, Pre-seed to Succeed offers to explore "future of work" trends through the lens of recent startup deals. Read the full article below. 📜 We’ve also launched a free Substack newsletter for tech enthusiasts, investors, and startup teams. In the latest issue, titled “How Will We Work Tomorrow?”, we examine how technology is reshaping today’s labor market, the role of AI, the “White Collar Recession,” and highlight 10 venture capital firms investing in Future of Work startups. 👇 Subscribe to the P2S newsletter via the link: https://lnkd.in/dC7WrZTs #futureofwork #ai #workai #hr #productivity