Early-Stage Startups: Our Investment Focus & Approach

What we are looking for and how we invest in early-stage startups.

We originally wrote “The No Bullsh*t Guide to How We Invest” and “What We’re Looking For as an Early Stage Venture Fund” in 2018. While Rampersand's core function of uncovering and investing in founders with abnormal potential has remained steadfast since its inception in 2013, we thought it was undoubtedly due time for an update!

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What are we looking for in an early-stage startup?

Rampersand is the first investor for (Australian and New Zealand) founders with abnormal potential. We do things differently: we invest with focus.

Are you an early-stage startup? These are some of the factors we focus on:

• You're at 0 - 1: We are there for your firsts! Are you pre-revenue or only just getting started on your startup journey (with this idea)?

• Founder/Market Fit: We want to know why you’re the right person to pursue this. Have you spent years researching the problem? Do you know the tech inside and out?

• Unique vision: You are changing the status quo and have a unique insight into the problem/s you're trying to solve. Are you obsessed with this space and know its deep and weird details?

• Large market: You're targeting a market that is explainable, findable and reachable.

• Category-defining: You're creating the search around your product and not the other way around. You tell us where the world is going; we don't predict it. We are here to help you go and change the world.

• Global ambition: We are looking for the world's best, not just Australia's best: we are in a globally competitive environment and back the world's best startups.

You have a big vision, big ambition and big belief!

Founders come to us at the beginning of their journey. Whether they're charting the vision, sketching the details on a napkin, or mapping out their seed round, we are there from the start for your first customers, your first hires and your first stage of achieving revenue.

Our doors (or inboxes) are open! We aim to be as accessible as possible to all Founders with great ideas from all walks of life. Even if it's just a kernel of an idea, please don't think it's too early to reach out.

What sits outside of our focus:

• Later-stage startups: If you are raising Series B or you are no longer in the early stages of building your startup.

• Diagnostic, therapeutic, medical devices, heavy manufacturing, hardware and materials only.

• We don't invest in gambling or weapons development and manufacturing companies.

How we help you toward startup success:

We help founders defy gravity and jump forward -

We help you navigate the twists and turns in your startup journey. We open doors and start conversations. We help you to chart the right path to success and to shoot for the stars. We help you ramp things up faster!

You're a human, not a dollar sign -

Every VC says they're founder-friendly; unfortunately, they can be anything but when times get tough. We treat founders as humans. We get behind your vision and provide unwavering support to help grow your startup and grow as a human. We roll up our sleeves to go above and beyond and get the heck out of the way when that's the best thing.

Access to a thoroughly vetted and connected network -

We were one of the original Australian VCs here before the concept caught wind, so our connections run deep. When you partner with us, you gain access to a team of experienced operators and seasoned partners with diverse backgrounds, just like the makeup of the startups we invest in. We leverage this experience to influence and amplify your success.

How we invest at Rampersand:

Our investment ethos boils down to one thing: conviction.

We're dedicated to believing wholeheartedly in you, your team, your idea, and its future. Our approach is forging a deep connection, aligning our visions, and collaborating closely to create something exceptional.

We're not just investors; we're partners in your journey. And it's not just about the money—it's about the relationship. Take a peek behind the scenes at Rampersand, and you'll find like-minded people with a genuine passion for helping startups thrive.

Our VC funding process is about more than just ticking boxes; it's a reverse-pitch dynamic where we work hand in hand to help you build your business into its best version.

The Rampersand VC funding process (in a nutshell).

We have a four-step process.

1. An initial meeting with one of our team.

2. Deeper dives: We will uncover and explore your go-to-market strategy, examine your tech stack and product, and meet the team's essential humans.

3. The information is sent to our investment committee for approval.

4. Documents are signed. 🙌

Please note that this is a very simplified version of our process. Every conversation and meeting is handled separately and with the utmost consideration. Timelines can vary and scale up and down, but it generally takes a month from the first interaction to finalising the investment decision.

✅ We pride ourselves on a quick no.

✅ We let the founders know every step of the process.

✅ We hope, even in an outcome that results in a no, that everyone is better off having met us, just as we grow with everyone we meet.

✅ We have an SLA on communication.

✅ We like to bring in prospective customers and people who know the space well to give relevant feedback.

✅ We don't invest in black boxes. We like to understand your vision and align to help you build the company's most aspirational future state.

Our promise to you:

• We will help to derisk the company and push the ambition of the company higher.

• We are here to celebrate all of your first achievements.

• We lead rounds and signal our conviction in your company.

• We push the boundaries on what is possible because you do too.

• We provide you with a front door to customers, networks and mentors.

• We offer access to coaches that prioritise founder wellness.

• We are committed to diversity and inclusion.

• We offer flexible cheque sizes of $250K to $3M.

• It's about conviction, hands-on partnership, and the craft of company building.

• We're a founder's first partner, and we work closely with our founders from zero to one.

• We give you access to an elite club of industry experts and globally recognised leaders.

Want to connect? Get in touch. We look forward to hearing from you.

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