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How to set milestones that make investors confident (even before revenue)

At pre-seed, most founders aren’t generating meaningful revenue, and that’s totally fine. But without revenue, the next best proof point is clarity: clarity in what you’re building, how you’ll get there, and what progress looks like along the way.

That’s where milestones come in.

Strong milestones tell investors that you’re not just dreaming, you’re executing. They show that your raise isn’t a vague push for capital, but a focused strategy to hit key outcomes that matter. In this post, we’ll walk through how to choose milestones that actually move the needle, how to structure and sequence them for real impact, and how to communicate them in a way that builds trust and momentum, even when you’re still early.

Why milestones are more than just internal targets

Most founders treat milestones as internal team checklists. That’s a miss. When crafted strategically, milestones become one of your most powerful fundraising tools.

Investors don’t expect you to have everything figured out at pre-seed. But they do expect you to know what you need to learn next, and how you’ll learn it. Milestones are how you show that.

They signal that you’re not just reacting, but operating with intent. They show that your raise has a purpose, and that you’re measuring progress in ways that align with real value creation, not just vanity growth.

Just as importantly, milestones help you build urgency. If you can say, “we’re raising to hit these three targets over the next six months, and they unlock our next phase of growth,” that’s a much more compelling narrative than, “we’re raising to keep building.”

Choosing milestones that actually matter

To choose the right milestones, you need to understand what signals real progress at your stage. It’s tempting to throw in generic goals like “launch MVP” or “grow social media,” but these don’t really build confidence unless they tie into your broader fundraising story.

Start with this question: what will convince investors that we’ve made meaningful progress by the time we raise again?

That answer should guide everything you prioritize.

Here are examples of pre-revenue, high-signal milestones:

• Completing a closed beta with real user feedback and documented improvements
• Signing your first pilot customer or a design partner agreement
• Proving retention on a small user cohort (e.g. 4-week stickiness)
• Launching a waitlist and measuring conversion to active users
• Finalizing a key technical feature that unlocks broader use cases
• Validating pricing through user interviews or payment commitments
• Recruiting a technical cofounder or strategic advisor

What matters most is not just what the milestone is, but whether it ties directly to your product’s core assumptions, and whether hitting it unlocks a new level of execution.

Sequencing milestones to tell a cohesive story

Random milestones don’t tell a story. Sequenced ones do.

Your milestones should form a path that investors can follow: from concept → prototype → early signal → traction → growth potential. Each step should build on the last.

For example, if you're validating a new AI workflow tool, your sequence might look like:

• Launch clickable prototype and gather qualitative user feedback
• Convert 10 waitlist users into active testers
• Improve retention through onboarding fixes (target 40% D30 retention)
• Secure first paid pilot with target customer segment
• Publish learnings and prep for early GTM experiments
  

Notice how each milestone de-risks the one after it. That’s what sequencing is about, it gives investors confidence that you’re learning and building in a smart order, not just shipping features.

Avoid jumping ahead. Don’t set “scale to 1,000 users” as a milestone if you haven’t even tested stickiness. Instead, be honest about what needs validating and make that the focus.

Presenting milestones in your deck and investor updates

Your milestones are only useful if you communicate them clearly. One of the most overlooked slides in a deck is the “Use of Funds” or “Roadmap” section, and it’s often a wasted opportunity.

Use this moment to anchor your raise. Include a slide that outlines:

• 3–5 milestones you aim to hit with the capital you’re raising
• The timeline for hitting them (ideally within 12–18 months)
• What outcomes each milestone unlocks (e.g. next raise, launch, GTM scale)

Make it visual. A clean timeline with 3 phases can go a long way. Include brief explanations if needed, but don’t overload it. The goal is to show intentionality, not complexity.

And don’t forget about updates. Once you start fundraising or have early interest, your investor updates should track these milestones. Share progress, delays, learnings, anything that shows you're moving forward and paying attention.

Transparency builds momentum. Milestones make that progress tangible.

Common mistakes to avoid when setting milestones

Trying to do too much. You don’t need ten milestones, three solid, sequenced ones are better than a scattered list that feels arbitrary.

Setting vague goals. “Improve UX” is not a milestone. “Increase onboarding completion from 30% to 60%” is.

Skipping the ‘why.’ Every milestone should tie back to a broader goal: retention, revenue, product validation, GTM fit. If it doesn’t connect to your narrative, cut it.

Being overly optimistic. Missed milestones don’t break trust, surprises do. Build in buffer. Share realistic timelines. And show that you’ve thought through risk.

Milestones aren’t just plans, they’re proof

A sharp milestone strategy turns your raise into a story investors can follow. It shows them you’re thoughtful, focused, and aware of what needs to happen next. You don’t need perfect numbers or massive traction. What you need is clarity, sequencing, and purpose.

And when you present those milestones with confidence, your fundraise doesn’t just feel possible, it feels inevitable.

Milestones are how you turn uncertainty into trust. They let you say, “we know what matters, and we’re executing toward it.” When your goals are grounded, measurable, and tied to value, you make it easier for investors to say yes, not because they believe in your idea, but because they believe in your ability to move it forward.

Capwave AI helps founders design and communicate milestones that unlock capital. Try Capwave today and use our Founder Checklist to map your raise to the milestones that matter, structure your deck with confidence, and show investors what real momentum looks like.

How to hire your first non‑founder (and do it right)

You’ve been scrappy so far. Between you and your cofounders, you’ve shipped product, tested ideas, and maybe even landed your first users. But you’re stretched thin. You need help.

Hiring your first non-founder isn’t just about saving time, it’s about multiplying what you can achieve. But make the wrong hire, and it’ll slow you down, drain resources, or create confusion right when you need momentum. In this post, we’ll break down how to know when you’re ready, what to look for, how to structure the role, and how to bring someone on without breaking your startup’s pace or culture.

Why your first hire is a high-leverage move

At pre-seed, your first hire is more than just another pair of hands. It’s a bet on where you’re going, and how fast you plan to get there. This person will influence your pace, your focus, and the culture you’re building, even if they don’t realize it.

Investors notice this too. A well-chosen early hire shows you know how to identify talent, delegate, and scale beyond the founding team. It’s a signal of execution and leadership. And when done right, this person becomes a key contributor, not just an employee.

How to know when you’re ready

The right time to hire isn’t when you’re overwhelmed. It’s when you can clearly define what the next phase of execution needs, and who can own it.

Ask yourself a few questions. Are you spending most of your time doing work that doesn’t drive core value? Is there a clear bottleneck slowing down product, customer growth, or delivery? Do you have specific outcomes you could accelerate with the right support?

If the answer is yes, and you have at least six to twelve months of runway to support a modest salary, then you’re ready. But don’t hire to just “help out.” Hire to unlock something specific and measurable.

How to define the role with focus

Your first hire shouldn’t be a generalist without a direction. At the same time, you don’t need a hyper-specialist. The sweet spot is someone with flexibility but with a clearly defined mission.

Frame the role around a key outcome, not just a list of tasks. For example, instead of saying “handle marketing,” define the goal as “increase trial-to-paid conversion by ten percent over the next three months.” If it’s technical, focus on delivering a specific feature or unblocking a product milestone.

Keep it tight. Your first hire doesn’t need to do everything. They need to do a few high-impact things really well.

What to look for beyond the resume

In the early days, you’re not hiring a title. You’re hiring someone who can build with you under pressure, ambiguity, and shifting priorities.

Look for ownership mindset. You want someone who takes initiative, sees what’s missing, and fills in the gaps without needing a playbook. Curiosity and learning velocity matter more than pedigree. You need someone who adapts fast and isn’t afraid to ask good questions.

Also look for complementary strengths. Your first hire should fill a gap, not mirror what the founders already bring. If your team is technical, maybe it’s someone strong on go-to-market. If you’re heavy on product, maybe it’s someone who can bring structure to growth or ops.

And finally, screen for communication. In a small team, misalignment is expensive. You need someone who can be direct, clear, and collaborative, even when things get messy.

How to onboard them without slowing down

Hiring is only half the job. The real test is how you integrate that person into the team and give them what they need to succeed.

Set expectations early. Share your goals for their first thirty, sixty, and ninety days. Make it clear what success looks like. Pair them closely with a founder for the first few weeks. Give them visibility into how decisions are made. Let them see the full context.

Keep feedback loops tight. Weekly one-on-ones. Shared updates. Quick check-ins. Your goal isn’t micromanagement, it’s alignment. And don’t forget to ask them what’s not working. The faster you find friction, the faster you can fix it.

Common mistakes founders make on their first hire

The most common mistake is hiring too fast. Don’t bring someone on unless you know exactly what they’ll own, and how that work connects to your next fundraising or growth milestone.

Another mistake is giving too little direction. “We just need help” is not a strategy. Early hires want to contribute. They want to win. Give them clarity and room to run.

Avoid hiring purely based on experience. At this stage, hunger often beats polish. You don’t need a big-company resume, you need startup-level intensity.

And finally, don’t wait too long to make a change if it’s not working. If your first hire isn’t the right fit, it’s better to part ways early than let misalignment drag down your pace.

Your first hire sets the tone

This is one of the most important decisions you’ll make in the early days. Not because it’s permanent, but because it shapes how you work, who you attract next, and how fast you move. Do it right, and your team gets sharper. Your execution gets faster. And your vision gets stronger.

Hiring your first non-founder is more than filling a seat. It’s a moment to extend your conviction into someone else, and to show investors that you’re not just building a product, you’re building a team. Choose clarity over comfort. And build from a place of focus, not urgency.

Capwave AI helps founders navigate early hiring decisions with structure and clarity. Join and use our Founder Checklist to define your first key roles, evaluate candidates with confidence, and set the foundation for a team that scales.

How much money should you raise at pre‑seed? A founder’s guide to getting it right

You’ve got early traction, a scrappy team, and the conviction that your idea could reshape a market. Now you’re gearing up to raise your pre‑seed round, but here’s the first fork in the road: how much should you actually raise?

Too little, and you risk stalling before you reach meaningful milestones. Too much, and you might give away equity you’ll wish you still had down the line. Plus, investors will expect progress that may outpace your current stage. Finding the “just right” number isn’t just about math, it’s about vision, strategy, and discipline. In this post, we’ll break down how to calculate the right raise for your startup, how investors think about round size, and how to make sure every dollar works like a teammate.

Why right‑sizing your round matters early on

Your raise is more than capital, it’s your time horizon, your milestone engine, and a story about your clarity. Here’s why the raise amount sets the tone:

• You’re signaling strategy. Asking for a round that aligns with stage, traction, and goals tells investors you’re deliberate, not just opportunistic.
• You’re setting up your next raise. If your pre‑seed is too small, you might scramble mid-milestone. If it’s too big, you could anchor yourself to unrealistic expectations.
• You’re managing dilution early. Give away too much equity too soon and you limit future flexibility for hires, advisors, or your own long-term control.

The best founders raise enough to execute, but not more than they can justify.

How to calculate your pre‑seed raise the smart way

There’s no universal number, but most pre-seed rounds fall between $250K and $1M, sometimes more in major markets, less elsewhere. Here’s how to tailor it for your own journey:

1. Map your runway

Start with a basic runway model. Think 12–18 months forward and itemize:

• Product development (freelancers, infra, tools)
• Go-to-market experiments (ads, outreach, partnerships)
• Team (1–2 key hires)
• Legal, software, ops
• Buffer (10–20% for slipups or surprise wins)

💡 Example:
If your projected burn is $20K/month and you want 15 months = $300K. Add a 15% buffer and you’re targeting ~$345K.

2. Tie it to a clear set of milestones

Money without milestones is just burn. You’re not raising to survive, you’re raising to build proof.

Pick 2–3 milestones that you want to reach with this capital. For pre‑seed, this could be:

• Shipping an MVP and closing your first paid pilot
• Proving unit economics at small scale
• Establishing early retention or CAC benchmarks
• Unlocking a design partner relationship with a key customer

These milestones help you answer two investor questions:

1. What are you going to achieve with this round?
2. Will it make your next round significantly easier?

3. Anchor to realistic valuation and dilution

Once you know how much you want to raise, pressure-test it against a reasonable post-money valuation.

If your pre‑money valuation is $2M:

• Raising $250K = 11% dilution
• Raising $400K = 17%
• Raising $600K = 23%

At pre‑seed, most founders aim to keep dilution between 10–20%. More than that may raise eyebrows unless your traction justifies it.

Keep in mind:

• A higher raise isn’t always smarter.
• A lower raise without clarity can backfire too.

Strategies to stretch or stage your raise

If you're torn between raising more or less, here are smart ways to thread the needle:

• Use tranches. Close $250K now, another $250K once you hit a milestone. This keeps momentum tight and valuations on the rise.
• Stack SAFE notes. For founders in motion, staggered SAFEs with different caps can help you raise iteratively while still building traction.
• Incorporate non-dilutive capital. Think accelerators, grants, pilot funding, or early revenue as part of your fundraising strategy.

The goal? Keep your round lean, focused, and milestone-driven, without boxing yourself in.

Common founder pitfalls (and how to avoid them)

• Asking for a round with no grounding. Investors want to know: “What does this buy you?” Avoid round numbers unless they’re backed by real planning.
• Over-raising early to “avoid future rounds.” Sounds smart, but often results in bloated burn, unfocused experimentation, and steeper expectations.
• Under-raising because you’re unsure. Don’t try to be “capital efficient” to the point of sabotage. Raise what you need, no less.

A great raise isn’t just funded, it’s focused

When founders raise just the right amount, everything tightens: the storytelling, the urgency, the clarity of direction. You know what the money is for. You know what the next milestone is. And you’re not raising to raise, you’re raising to win.

Think of your raise like a runway, but also like a compass. It should point toward a clear next stage, not just a bank balance. When you set your raise based on progress, not pressure, you build trust, control, and momentum that compounds.

Capwave AI is your complete fundraising system. It helps you raise smarter, faster, and with way more clarity. Once inside, you’ll get access to Capwave Academy for tactical founder education and AI-powered tools to prep your pitch, match with aligned investors, and track real progress throughout your raise.

Our Closing Checklist is your go-to for financial storytelling. From target raise calculators to use-of-funds templates, we help you show investors what they need to see while staying in control of your vision.

Whether you're raising your first round or gearing up for the next, Capwave gives you the structure to close with confidence.

8 Pitch Deck mistakes pre‑seed founders make (and how to fix them fast)

Your pitch deck isn’t just a slide deck, it’s your first impression. Your momentum on paper. But if it’s confusing, cluttered, or just plain forgettable, it won’t open doors.

At the pre-seed stage, the bar is low, but the expectations are high. Investors aren’t asking for perfection. They’re looking for clarity. A reason to care. A reason to bet on you. In this guide, we’re breaking down the pitch deck mistakes that quietly kill fundraising momentum, and showing you how to fix them fast.

1. Starting with slides, not story

Too many founders start building slides before they know what story they’re telling. The result? A deck that feels scattered, not strategic.

Fix it: Before opening Google Slides, write your pitch out like a two-minute story: problem, solution, why now, why you, where it’s going. Then build slides that follow that arc, no filler, no fluff.‍

2. Writing paragraphs, not headlines

Your deck isn’t a blog post. If every slide is jammed with text, no one’s reading it, and your message gets lost in the noise.

Fix it: One idea per slide. One sentence to support it. Let visuals breathe. Use headlines that say something, not just label sections. Think: “Retention doubled in 30 days”, not “Traction.”

3. Skipping the design basics

You don’t need a brand studio. But you do need to look like you gave a damn. Sloppy decks = sloppy perception.

Fix it: Keep fonts and colors consistent. Align text. Ditch screenshots that aren’t legible. Clean = credible, and credibility is currency at pre‑seed.

4. Burying the team

At this stage, investors are backing you. If your team slide is just job titles and headshots, you’re underselling the asset.

Fix it: Tell them why this team wins. Show relevant experience. Highlight founder-market fit. And if it’s just you? That’s fine, just show grit and clarity of purpose.

5. Waving at the Business Model

“We’ll figure it out later” doesn’t fly. Investors don’t need a 5‑year financial model, but they do need a simple explanation of how money moves.

Fix it: Keep it real. “$20/month subscription.” “5% take rate on each transaction.” One sentence, no jargon. If your model changes, that’s okay. Just show you’ve thought it through.

6. Hiding the Go‑to‑Market

A great product that no one uses… isn’t great. Decks that skip distribution come across as incomplete.

Fix it: Be specific. How do you get your first 50 users? What channels are you testing? What traction signals are you seeing? It doesn’t need to be perfect, it just needs to be real.

7. Pretending you have no competition

No competition = red flag. Either you're in denial or you're not thinking big enough.

Fix it: Acknowledge the landscape. Position yourself. Show what’s broken about the current options, and how you win. Even if it’s just being faster, cheaper, or more focused.

8. Forgetting the ask

You’ve told a great story, and then… nothing. No clear round size. No use of funds. No timeline. That’s a missed opportunity.

Fix it: Be direct. “We’re raising $400K to extend runway, launch v1, and onboard 3 pilot customers.” Help them help you. Show the plan, not just the dream.

Gut check: does your deck answer the why you, why now, why this in 3 minutes or less?

If not, cut the clutter. Trim the fat. Make your story undeniable. Because the best decks don’t just look good, they feel like momentum.

Your deck doesn’t need to be perfect, just sharp

At pre‑seed, clarity beats polish every time. Investors aren’t looking for guarantees, they’re looking for signal. And your deck? It’s how you send it.

So tell a story that sticks. Lead with what matters. And remember: your deck isn’t just a pitch, it’s a window into how you think, build, and lead.

Every deck tells a story. The great ones tell it fast, clean, and with conviction. Don’t aim for perfection, aim for alignment. Because when your deck is dialed in, it doesn’t just get opened, it gets shared.

Need help structuring your story? Capwave’s Pitch Deck Template gives you a clean, proven framework to craft a deck that hits what investors want, without second‑guessing every slide.

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Raise smarter. Use Capwave AI. 

How to use strategic partnerships to supercharge your pre‑seed raise

Pre‑seed fundraising isn’t just about metrics, it’s about momentum. And momentum can come from places founders often overlook, like partnerships.

A well-placed strategic partnership can give you faster access to users, early proof points, and an added layer of credibility when it’s time to fundraise. Whether it’s a distribution partner, a marquee pilot customer, or a co-marketing ally, partnerships can do more than support your product, they can actually elevate your story to investors.

In this post, you’ll learn how to source the right partners, structure mutually beneficial relationships, and use those partnerships to strengthen your pitch, your progress, and your pre‑seed raise.

Why partnerships matter more than you think at pre‑seed

At the earliest stage, you’re selling possibility, and investors are looking for anything that derisks your vision. That’s where a strategic partner can do heavy lifting.

Say you don’t have hundreds of users yet, but you’ve landed a co‑pilot program with a recognizable brand in your niche. That signals trust. It tells an investor, “This founder is scrappy, connected, and already has market validation, even if it's early.”

Even a small partnership can lead to:

• Faster product feedback
• Clearer distribution paths
• Sharper customer insights
• Warm intros to future investors or customers
• Proof that you can execute externally-facing deals

The best part? You don’t need 10 partners. One right partner can unlock investor attention and customer confidence faster than a big ad budget ever could.

Finding the right strategic partners for early-stage startups

The best partnerships at pre-seed aren’t just big names, they’re aligned allies who can help you validate, distribute, or co‑build.

Start by thinking: who already reaches your ideal customer? Who benefits if your product exists? Who’s already solving an adjacent problem?

Here are a few ideas:

• Niche SaaS tools that serve the same vertical (e.g., if you’re building for logistics, find tech vendors already working with warehouse ops).
• VCs or accelerators with internal platforms, newsletters, or demo days.
• Industry consultants or micro-influencers who can intro you to decision-makers.
• Slack communities or online groups where your users are active.

Once you have a list, aim for quality over quantity. A single distribution ally with a tight, engaged audience is more valuable than a dozen vague “let’s keep in touch” calls.

How to approach and pitch a strategic partner (without sounding transactional)

You’re not asking for favors, you’re proposing a win-win.

When you reach out to potential partners, make your pitch crystal clear:

• What you’re building and for whom
• Why they’re a fit, not just based on reach, but on shared goals
• What you’re proposing (e.g., co-marketing, pilot program, exclusive first-look)
• What they get in return, access, attribution, future incentives, etc.

Keep it brief and respectful. And wherever possible, connect your proposal to a specific outcome:

“We’re building an AI workflow tool for indie law firms, our MVP’s ready, and we’re looking for 2–3 early pilot partners to test onboarding flow and surface key pain points. If it’s a fit, we’d love to co-feature learnings and give your team early access to shape the roadmap.”

The more specific and useful you are, the more likely you’ll get a yes.

Structuring partnerships that actually support your raise

At pre‑seed, even informal partnerships can be powerful, but you want clarity.

If it’s a pilot, define the scope: number of users, timeline, outcomes. If it’s co-marketing, set expectations: email lists, content pieces, social media posts. If it’s an advisory or strategic collaboration, put it in writing, even if lightly. A short memo of understanding or a Notion doc that outlines goals and responsibilities is often enough.

Structure builds confidence, not just for the partner, but for the investors watching.

And once you’ve structured the partnership, track results. How many users did you gain? What feedback came from their network? Did conversion improve? Those signals matter more than vague "we're exploring a few partnerships" lines in a deck.

How to use partnerships to strengthen your pitch and updates

This is where most founders miss the opportunity. You secured a partnership, great. But now what?

Integrate that story into your pitch:

• Add a slide or mention early on showing the names/logos involved (with permission).
• Use partnership milestones as traction indicators.
• Quantify results, even if small: “Partnered with [X] to test our onboarding with 40 users, 33% activation rate; testing v2 next week.”
  

In updates, highlight partnership wins:

• New feature live from co-dev input
• Quotes or testimonials from their team
• Content or PR mentions that came from it
  

This not only keeps your investors engaged, it gives them material to forward to others, creating an organic amplification loop for your raise.

Pitfalls to watch out for

Not every partnership is created equal, and some can even slow you down. Here’s what to avoid:

• Unclear expectations. If you’re vague, things stall. Define what success looks like.
• Too many partners too soon. More noise = less signal. One high-impact partner is better than five passive ones.
• Partners who don’t match your speed. If you’re sprinting and they’re still thinking about Q3 strategy, it might not work.
• Relying too heavily on “in name only.” Logos don’t close rounds. Outcomes do.

Build lean, build focused, and track every collaboration like it’s an asset, because it is.

Partnership is your hidden fundraising edge

If you’re pre-revenue, pre-product, or just pre-proof, partnerships can be your secret weapon. They’re the fastest way to show outside validation, build in the open, and signal that you're not building in a vacuum.

Done right, they create leverage, traction, credibility, distribution, and that’s exactly what early investors want to see. If you want your deck to resonate, partnerships give it heartbeat.

So before you start another cold investor email, ask yourself: who could I partner with to unlock credibility, insight, or momentum today? Because a well-placed partnership doesn’t just make you more fundable, it makes you harder to ignore.

Capwave AI helps founders turn smart partnerships into fundraising fuel. Use our Capital Raising Playbook to learn how to embed partnerships into your narrative, structure early deals, and convert traction into capital.

How to Build Meaningful Traction Before Your Pre‑Seed Raise (Even Without Revenue)

Wondering how to show traction before your pre-seed raise? Here’s your playbook to signal real investor interest, without needing revenue or hype.

You’ve got an MVP, or at least a clickable prototype, and maybe a few user interviews under your belt. But when it’s time to raise your first check, investors keep asking: “What traction do you have?”

If you’re not bringing in revenue yet (and most pre-seed founders aren’t), that question can feel impossible. The good news? You don’t need a hockey-stick growth chart to raise pre-seed capital, you just need the right kind of signals.

In this post, we’ll walk through exactly what early-stage investors see as traction, how to build it from scratch, and how to package your learnings into a compelling narrative that gets meetings, and funding. 

What Actually Counts as Traction at Pre-Seed (It’s Not Always Revenue)

The traction pyramid

At the earliest stages, investors aren’t expecting scale, they’re looking for proof. Not of success, but of movement. Here’s the hierarchy of traction signals:

1. Revenue or paid pilots: the strongest signal, even if tiny.
2. Consistent user engagement: shows people are returning or relying on your product.
3. Validated demand: waitlists, referrals, unpaid pilots.
4. Speed of learning: how quickly you're identifying, testing, and responding to what’s working.
5. Story + signal alignment: does your traction make sense given your stage?

Traction isn’t one number. It’s a collection of choices, learnings, and momentum.

Three Types of Pre-Seed Traction That Actually Move the Needle

1. Paid Pilots (Even Small Ones)

If someone’s willing to pay anything before you’ve scaled, that’s powerful. Even a few hundred dollars validates urgency and value. Investors know that’s hard to fake.

Tip: Don’t wait for the product to be “ready.” Frame it as an early-access program or “founding customer” experience. Add value through support, not just software.

2. Deep User Signals

No revenue? No problem. But you still need proof that users care. Show:

• Retention across early cohorts.
• Session data, NPS, or conversion improvements.
• Direct quotes from users saying, “This solved X for me.”

That’s traction investors trust, especially if you’ve only been live for weeks.

3. Speed of Learning (Underrated but Powerful)

Investors at this stage want to see fast cycles: assumption → test → insight → iteration.

Example:

• You launched version 1 of your landing page.
• Bounce rate was 85%.
• You ran 10 interviews, rebuilt the page, and conversions jumped 3x.
  
  

That’s more impressive than 10,000 empty signups. It shows you’re listening, testing, and improving rapidly.

How to Build Traction From Scratch (Even Without a Product)

Not launched yet? You can still build traction. Here’s how:

Step 1: Validate your problem with real users

Talk to 30+ potential customers. Get their language, their pain points, and document everything.

Cap it off with:

• A waitlist
• Pre-orders
• Letters of interest
• Or even just DMs showing demand

Step 2: Launch a testable wedge

Build something you can test in days, not weeks. A Figma prototype. A Notion page. A Calendly + Stripe setup.

Then measure:

• Signups
• Time spent
• Repeat use
• Feedback quality

Step 3: Package your learning

Show investors a timeline:

• Week 1: Built MVP → tested with 5 users
• Week 2: Learned [X] → rebuilt [Y]
• Week 3: Saw 3x improvement in engagement

That’s real traction. Because it’s not just activity, it’s progress.

Common Pitfalls Founders Make When Pitching Pre-Seed Traction

Over-indexing on vanity metrics

“We have 1,000 waitlist signups” is meaningless without context. Are they qualified? Are they converting? Are they even real?

Instead: “We had 500 signups in 48 hours after sharing with one niche community. 18% clicked through to the onboarding form. We followed up with 10 and converted 4 to early access.”

Relying too heavily on LOIs or NDAs

Investors are skeptical of unsigned deals or vague partnerships. Show proof of action, not just interest.

Avoiding uncomfortable metrics

Don’t hide weak spots. Instead, highlight what you’re learning and how fast you’re moving to improve.

What Great Pre-Seed Traction Looks Like in a Pitch Deck

Use 1–2 clean slides with:

• Bullet points of traction signals (e.g., “10 paid pilots closed in 2 weeks”)
• Charts if they’re meaningful (e.g., early retention, conversion rates)
• Quotes or logos if you have them
• A one-liner takeaway: “This traction proves X.”

Keep it tight. Tell a story. Show growth, mental and actual.

Traction is About Insight, Not Scale

If you’re raising pre-seed, don’t worry about perfect metrics. Worry about sharp insights. Are you learning fast? Are you showing that users care, even a little? Are you closing small but meaningful wins?

That’s what moves investors. That’s what gets funded.

Capwave AI helps founders turn early traction into investor-ready narratives. Use our Investor Outreach Guide to organize your signals, tell a sharper story, and connect with pre-seed investors who understand your stage.