Venture capitalist Erik Bruckner has issued a strong directive to early-stage founders, advocating for swift decision-making from pre-seed investors. In a recent tweet, Bruckner asserted, > "If a pre-seed VC requests more than 3 meetings to make a decision, politely tell them GTFO." This statement underscores a growing sentiment within the startup ecosystem regarding the efficiency and conviction expected from investors in the earliest funding stages.
Erik Bruckner is recognized in the venture capital landscape as a General Partner at Bruckner Ventures and Giant Step Capital, entities focused on early-stage and seed investments. His firm, Bruckner Ventures, established in 2021, utilizes an AngelList syndicate to pool capital for single investments into early-stage technology companies, with a reported focus on sectors like aerospace, software, and space travel.
Pre-seed funding typically targets companies in their ideation or concept phase, often before a minimum viable product (MVP) or significant revenue. While fundraising timelines can vary, industry insights suggest that pre-seed rounds can close anywhere from less than a week to six months, with some investors moving from initial pitch to term sheet in as little as five days. This rapid pace is crucial for nascent startups aiming to build momentum and conserve limited resources.
Bruckner's stance highlights a critical point for founders: prolonged due diligence at the pre-seed stage may signal a lack of conviction or an inefficient process from the investor. For startups operating on tight runways, protracted negotiations can be detrimental, diverting valuable time and energy away from product development and market validation. His advice encourages founders to prioritize investors who demonstrate clear interest and a streamlined decision-making process.
The tweet reflects a broader call for transparency and efficiency in early-stage venture capital, empowering founders to manage their fundraising efforts more strategically. By setting clear expectations for investor engagement, Bruckner aims to foster a more dynamic and founder-friendly environment in the competitive pre-seed funding landscape, emphasizing that a few focused meetings should be sufficient for a committed investor to assess potential.