Micro-VC / small cheque
Funds and platforms that write smaller, faster cheques, often the first institutional money in the round.
What this thesis means
Micro-VCs and small-cheque funds specialise in speed and access. Cheques are smaller than classic institutional seed, but decisions can be faster, processes lighter, and founder support more hands-on. In India they often sit alongside angels and larger leads to fill or catalyse a round.
Founders should ask about ownership targets, follow-on reserves, and whether the fund typically leads or follows. A great micro-VC can unlock intros and round momentum; a weak one adds cap-table noise.
Pitch tightly and ask for a clear yes/no window. Use them strategically, especially when you need a first believer or a bridge to a larger lead.
Who it fits
- Pre-seed and seed founders needing a first or filling cheque
- Rounds that benefit from fast conviction capital
- Teams that want hands-on help without a large primary
What to prepare
- A short deck and crisp ask amount
- Round construction (lead vs fill)
- What help you want beyond the cheque
Funds with this thesis
100X VC
Invest in 100 companies per year at pre-product stage and help them reach their next milestone
$25K – $250K12 Flags
Invest in founders from emerging countries building global businesses
$100K – $500K1818 Venture Capital
1818 Venture Capital backs exceptional early-stage founders building in India across SaaS, Consumer, FinTech, AI, and B2B, writing pre-seed and seed cheques in the $100k–$500k range as a micro VC with a strong India-first mandate.
$100K – $500K