In this episode of Operator to Founder, we break down one of the most pressing questions for early-stage founders: How much is your startup actually worth? Understanding valuation at the pre-seed and seed stages can be tricky, but it’s crucial for fundraising, equity negotiations, and setting the right expectations.

This episode, originally written as an article by OpenSeed VC, explores how experienced operators turned founders should think about valuation, even when there's limited traction or revenue.

Key Topics Covered:

Why Early-Stage Valuation Matters

- The role of valuation in securing funding and structuring deals.

- Common misconceptions first-time founders have about their startup’s worth.

How Investors Think About Valuation

- Pre-seed and seed stage investors focus more on team strength, market potential, and execution ability rather than financial metrics.

- Understanding how investor expectations shape valuation discussions.

Benchmarking Valuations at Pre-Seed & Seed

- How typical pre-seed and seed rounds are valued.

- The influence of market trends and funding environment.

How to Approach Valuation as a First-Time Founder

- The balance between being realistic and ambitious.

- Tactical ways to validate valuation (investor feedback, SAFE notes, and dilution considerations).

- Why the right investors focus on potential, not just numbers.

About OpenSeed VC:

This episode is powered by OpenSeed VC, a fund that writes first checks into experienced operators turned founders. OpenSeed doesn’t just invest—it provides founders with a network of seasoned operators who’ve built, scaled, and exited companies before, helping you go from zero to one.

Check out more insights at www.openseed.vc

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