For Founders · Pre-seed & seed

Real feedback on every application. A warm intro on the strongest.

Built for pre-seed and seed founders. Every application is read against the rubric, with a tier and written feedback returned to you. Founders who make The Shortlist are introduced to a partner fund.

Apply

Issue 01.

How It Works

Three steps. No deck-only first impressions.

  1. 01

    Apply

    Fill out the application. Plan on about ten minutes. The more concrete you are, the better the feedback.

  2. 02

    Read your feedback

    We read every application. You receive a tier and a section-by-section written feedback with one specific test per section to pass next.

  3. 03

    Reapply or get the intro

    Iterate on the feedback and resubmit when you have more to show. There is no cap on attempts. Founders who reach the top tier are introduced to a partner fund that fits.

The Tiers

Where you land sets what happens next.

Must Read

You receive your written feedback and a warm introduction to a partner fund whose thesis matches your company.

Might Find Interesting

You receive your feedback with the specific gaps to close. Iterate, resubmit, and we re-read. Most founders move up within one or two cycles.

Weak

You receive your feedback with the structural issues called out. The door stays open. Reapply when the work is materially different.

A note from the editor

The best founders rarely get a fair read.

Founders almost never hear why a VC passed. The Shortlist changes that. Every application gets read. Every founder gets a tier and honest feedback. The founders we believe in get introduced.

The Shortlist Team

Apply when you are ready.

Every application is read in full. There is no cap on attempts.

Apply