LvlUp Ventures has officially announced the First Check Fund, an initiative aimed at backing founders at the earliest stages of their entrepreneurial journey.
The announcement stands out because it focuses on a segment that is often overlooked by traditional venture capital: idea-stage, pre-formation, and pre-seed founders.
For many entrepreneurs, securing the first institutional cheque is one of the biggest fundraising challenges. Before revenue, traction, or even incorporation, founders are often expected to prove their vision with limited resources and support.
The First Check Fund aims to bridge that gap by providing conviction capital at Day Zero.
According to the announcement, LvlUp Ventures plans to make 1,000 micro-investments in 2026, supporting founders who are still validating ideas, building prototypes, or taking their first steps toward company formation.
Program Highlights
Investment Size
- $1,000 – $10,000 in capital
Additional Benefits
- Access to founder support and mentorship
- Ecosystem connections
- Startup perks and resources reportedly worth over $10 million
Who Can Apply?
The program appears suitable for:
- Idea-stage founders
- Pre-formation startups
- Early pre-seed teams
- First-time founders
- Builders with strong conviction but limited access to capital
The fund is also sector-agnostic, meaning founders building across industries such as AI, SaaS, D2C, ClimateTech, AgriTech, FinTech, Healthcare, DeepTech, Manufacturing, and Hyperlocal solutions may be eligible to apply.
Application Link
Apply here: https://www.lvlup.vc/fund/first-check-fund
Struggling to Get Into VC Meetings?
Raising capital is not only about having a great idea. At the earliest stages, founders are often evaluated on the strength of their narrative, market understanding, execution roadmap, and fundraising readiness.
At WoodenScale AI, we work closely with founders to build investor-ready fundraising assets that help improve investor conversations and identify relevant VCs based on sector, stage, and funding requirements.
If you need help preparing the right fundraising assets or finding the right investor you can explore our platform here : https://bit.ly/investormatching_preseed
Disclaimer
The application process and investment decisions are managed solely by LvlUp Ventures. WoodenScale AI has no role in the evaluation, selection, or investment process and does not guarantee application approval, investor introductions, or funding outcomes.
