At the pre-seed stage, there’s not much for a VC to analyze — no revenue curve, no retention metrics, no CAC. That doesn’t mean they’re guessing. It means they’re watching everything else. At TechCrunch All Stage 2025 on July 15 in Boston, Charles Hudson, managing partner and founder of Precursor Ventures, will walk founders through the subtle, high-stakes signals that matter when data is scarce and the pitch is everything.
In his session “All the Ways You Don’t Realize VCs Are Evaluating Your Company at Pre-Seed,” Hudson will pull back the curtain on how investors assess early-stage opportunities and why founders often underestimate the weight of seemingly small choices.
Lean into this thought-provoking discussion at TechCrunch All Stage, featuring founders and VCs across all stages. Register now to save more than 60% on your tickets across our two most popular tiers. We’re running a limited-time discount on Founder and Investor Passes, which you can now purchase for $155 and $250 respectively. Act swiftly before the discount ends!
It’s not just about the idea — it’s about how you run the show
From your choice of co-founder to how you run your fundraising process, everything you do — or don’t do — is a signal. Charles Hudson will highlight the common red flags that spook investors before a single term sheet is on the table. For example, mismatched co-founder dynamics can suggest poor hiring instincts. Sloppy outreach? That signals you haven’t done the work. These are the unspoken cues that can make or break a round — and most founders never hear about them.
Charles Hudson breaks it all down at TechCrunch All Stage
Hudson has seen it all. As the founder of Precursor Ventures, he has been one of the earliest believers in breakout startups long before they had the traction to prove themselves. He built his firm to back founders at the riskiest moment, before it was obvious. Before that, as a partner at SoftTech VC, he was deep in the world of mobile infrastructure. He knows the markers of long-term potential, and he is not guessing. He is pattern-matching with purpose.
For early founders, this is the session that could change your trajectory
TechCruch All Stage is happening on July 15 in Boston’s SoWa Power Station, powered by Fidelity Investments. It’s a one-day summit for startup builders who want practical, unfiltered insights from the experts who’ve done the work. Come for the playbook. Stay for the signal check. Charles Hudson is bringing both. Register now to save more than 60% on your tickets while the offer is still available!