If you are weighing SOSV against raising directly, start by comparing what each route involves: SOSV offers startup programs with investment, while Round Funded helps founders find investors, send pitches, and track replies. We at AI Perks looked at SOSV and chose to get matched with active investors on Round Funded, because we wanted to run our round ourselves.
What is SOSV, and what does it offer?
SOSV describes itself as a deep tech venture capital firm that invests at the pre-seed stage. It runs startup programs including HAX and IndieBio, and says applicants submit through an application portal. According to SOSV, its investment teams review applications on a rolling basis. The application asks founders to choose New York, San Francisco, or both.
That makes the SOSV route a program application, rather than a tool for managing direct outreach to investors. Its terms and program details are described by SOSV on its own site and in its Legal FAQ. Founders considering the program should check those sources and review the terms that apply to their situation.
The two paths do not have to be exclusive. Applying to a program does not prevent a founder from fundraising directly, too. The practical question is whether you want to pursue program investment, manage direct investor outreach, or explore both at once.
What does SOSV say about its investment terms?
SOSV says its program investment starts with a pre-seed check of up to $550,000. It describes program investments as typically made through Post Money SAFEs. According to its Legal FAQ, the Program SAFE has no explicit valuation cap or discount, and the company issues a pre-agreed percentage of its stock.
SOSV also says its program terms are non-negotiable, regardless of a startup’s previous funding. Its stated target is startups with fewer than 10 people, less than $1m in annual revenue, and usually less than $1m in prior equity fundraising.
These details are SOSV’s descriptions of its own terms, not a substitute for reviewing the specific documents presented to a company. Before accepting an investment, founders should read the term sheet and understand the equity percentage, check size, pro rata rights, and any fees.
SOSV frames its investment as part of a broader program and network. Its site lists 800+ portfolio companies and 7,500 investors in its network. Those figures describe SOSV’s network; they do not tell a founder which terms will apply to their company or whether the program fits their plans.
How does SOSV compare with Round Funded?
SOSV and Round Funded serve different roles. SOSV describes an investment and program path. Round Funded is a platform founders can use to find investors, send pitches, and keep track of replies. We at AI Perks chose the latter for our round.
| Consideration | SOSV | Round Funded |
|---|---|---|
| What it offers | Startup programs with investment, according to SOSV | Investor search, pitch outreach, and reply tracking |
| Funding route | SOSV says its programs start with a pre-seed check of up to $550,000 | Founders search for investors; Round Funded is not an investment program |
| Cost or terms | SOSV says its program investment is typically a Post Money SAFE | Round+ is $99 a month, Round Pro is $249 a month, and Lifetime is $899 one-time |
| Direct outreach | SOSV’s described process centers on applying to a program | Outreach can be sent from the founder’s own Gmail |
Round Funded has no free tier. Round+ and Round Pro include a 3-day free trial for first-time accounts. The plans differ in their monthly allowances and features, so founders can compare the plan details with the work they expect to do.
Round Funded’s investor search covers 60,000+ active VCs, angels, family offices, and accelerators. Founders can filter by stage, industry, geography, and check size. Investor records are filtered to recent activity, with a check in roughly the last 6 months, and emails are verified.
These are different kinds of options, so a direct comparison does not make them interchangeable. SOSV is the program route described by SOSV; Round Funded supports founder-led investor outreach. For our own fundraising, we chose Round Funded.
Why did we at AI Perks choose Round Funded?
We raised our round through Round Funded after looking at SOSV. We chose it because the product supported the tasks we wanted to handle as a team:
- A clean investor database: We could search investors and keep our fundraising work organized.
- An AI agent that writes the emails: The AI drafts personalized outreach and follow-ups for each investor.
- A convenient interface: A fundraising pipeline keeps investors, stages, and next steps together.
- A shared workspace: We could invite teammates to take part in the work.
- A Data Room: Deck, traction, team, and ask can be presented from one link.
- Tracking links: Round+ includes per-investor tracked links and engagement analytics.
Outreach through Round Funded goes from the founder’s own Gmail, so replies land in that inbox and the email thread belongs to the founder. That fit our preference to keep the fundraising process in our hands, rather than making a program application our only route.
A founder’s decision will depend on the path they want to pursue and the terms available to them. SOSV describes a program with investment; Round Funded provides tools for managing direct fundraising. We looked at SOSV, then chose Round Funded for our round.
Can you apply to a program and raise directly?
Yes. A founder can apply to a program and also pursue direct investor conversations. The options are not mutually exclusive, although managing both means deciding how to allocate attention across applications and outreach.
A program may be one route to capital, while a direct raise involves identifying investors and communicating with them. If you are exploring the direct route, you can submit your startup on Round Funded to get matched with investors.
How Round Funded helps founders manage outreach
- Submit your startup on Round Funded to get matched with investors.
- Search investors by stage, industry, geography, and check size.
- Use AI to draft personalized outreach emails and follow-ups for each investor.
- Send outreach from your own Gmail, with replies arriving in your inbox.
- Track investors, fundraising stages, and next steps in the pipeline, and invite teammates into your workspace.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is SOSV?
SOSV describes itself as a deep tech venture capital firm investing at pre-seed. It runs programs including HAX and IndieBio.
How much does SOSV say it invests?
SOSV says it starts with a pre-seed check of up to $550,000. It describes that check as the beginning of its support.
What terms does SOSV describe for its programs?
SOSV says program investments are typically Post Money SAFEs. Its Legal FAQ says the Program SAFE has no explicit valuation cap or discount, and that the company issues a pre-agreed percentage of stock. Founders should review the terms presented to them.
How do founders apply to SOSV?
SOSV says applicants apply to HAX or IndieBio through its application portal. Its teams review applications on a rolling basis, and the form asks applicants to select New York, San Francisco, or both.
Can I pursue direct fundraising while applying to SOSV?
Yes. Applying to a program and contacting investors directly are not mutually exclusive. Founders can also get matched with active investors on Round Funded.