In 2015, unicorns were a novelty, and capital was abundant. Startups like Uber, Airbnb, and Slack were in hyper-growth mode, and the venture landscape was buzzing with accelerators, angels, and seed investors. VCs invested nearly $130 billion across more than 8,000 deals.
Fast forward to today, and the dynamics of seed funding have fundamentally shifted.
According to Crunchbase, in 2020, there were roughly 3,000 seed deals under $1 million. By 2024, that number had dropped 35%. Between Q1 2022 and Q4 2023, the overall number of seed deals declined 56%. And last year, seed funding reached $13.2 billion, or one-third less than its 2022 peak of $19 billion.
These stats tell a clear story: the seed market is contracting. But that doesn’t mean seed capital has disappeared. It’s simply become more selective, competitive, and traction-driven.
Today’s Seed Round Is Yesterday’s Series A
Where seed rounds once were akin to a fast-moving, idea-stage raise, they now resemble mini-Series A. The fast-moving, pitch-an-idea-get-a-check era is largely over, particularly for founders raising smaller rounds. Founders are expected to have users, revenue, and a clear GTM strategy just to get a meeting.
Since 2022, a larger share of seed dollars have gone to rounds of $5 million or more, Crunchbase data shows. Investors are increasingly writing fewer checks and backing startups with tangible traction. This makes the fundraising process more intensely competitive, particularly for founders looking to raise smaller rounds.
Adapting to Modern Seed Dynamics
I’ve reviewed thousands of pitch decks, and our program receives over 15,000 startup applications per year. One consistent trend I see: many early-stage founders are still trying to raise millions pre-product and pre-launch.
This strategy no longer works.
First-time founders trying to raise millions early on without proper market validation are struggling to secure capital. Investors are no longer taking early bets based solely on a compelling idea. They’re looking for evidence: product-market fit signals, usage data, customer feedback, and team execution.
If you’re trying to raise a seed round today, here’s what you need to focus on:
Validate Before Seeking Seed Capital
Get to market. Even a small launch with beta users or a waitlist can serve as early validation. Demonstrate that you’ve built something people want, or at least that you’re actively testing and learning from real users.
Build a Clear GTM and Growth Roadmap
Seed investors want to know how you’ll grow, and not just abstract. They want to see a step-by-step path from where you are now to your next milestone. That includes channels, acquisition cost estimates, sales motion (if applicable), and a clear understanding of your customer.
Raise What You Need, Not What You Want
A common mistake is asking for a larger-than-necessary round to “buy time.” Instead, raise the capital required to hit the next clear inflection point. That could be a product launch, early revenue, or retention benchmarks. Smaller, milestone-based raises are more attractive in today’s market.
Highlight Founder Traits
Seed is still very much a bet on the founding team. Show that you’re nimble, data-driven, and resilient. Investors are evaluating not just your idea, but your ability to navigate ambiguity, iterate, and execute when conditions are uncertain.
The Future of Seed Capital
Raising seed capital today requires a different playbook than it did a decade ago. While the seed market has become more challenging, there’s an upside to this shift. Companies that successfully raise seed rounds today are generally in a stronger position than their counterparts from the easy-money era. They have validated business models and more sustainable unit economics.
This creates a healthier foundation for long-term success and increases the likelihood of reaching Series A and beyond.
The seed landscape has changed dramatically, but opportunity still abounds for founders who are willing to adapt. Investors are still clamoring to back the next big deal. The key is understanding that the game has evolved and playing by the new rules.
