Charles Hudson, managing partner and founder of Precursor Ventures, will share insights on how venture capitalists evaluate pre-seed startups at the upcoming TechCrunch All Stage event in Boston on July 15. In his session, “All the Ways You Don’t Realize VCs Are Evaluating Your Company at Pre-Seed,” Hudson will reveal the subtle signals that matter when data is limited and the pitch is crucial. At the pre-seed stage, there’s not much concrete data for investors to analyze, such as revenue curves or customer acquisition costs.
However, that doesn’t mean VCs are guessing. They closely observe everything else, from the choice of co-founder to the way founders run their fundraising process. Hudson will highlight common red flags that can spook investors before a term sheet is even on the table.
Mismatched co-founder dynamics, for example, can suggest poor hiring instincts, while sloppy outreach signals a lack of preparation. These unspoken cues can make or break a funding round, yet most founders never hear about them. Hudson, with his extensive experience backing breakout startups at their riskiest moments, knows the markers of long-term potential and will share his pattern-matching expertise.
TC All Stage, a one-day summit powered by Fidelity Investments, is designed for startup builders seeking practical, unfiltered insights from experts who have done the work.
Insights on VC evaluation methods
The event will take place at Boston’s SoWa Power Station and will feature powerful takeaways, peer insights, and game-changing connections.
Regular bird pricing for TC All Stage ends on Sunday, June 22, at 11:59 p.m. PT, offering savings of up to $210 on tickets. The event will include tactical sessions, real conversations, and curated connections, all under one roof. Attendees can expect sessions such as “How to Actually Raise Right Now,” “Brand vs.
Growth: What Early Startups Should Prioritize,” “AI Isn’t the Strategy: It’s the Tool,” and “Scaling with Soul.”
Industry leaders, including Ellen Chisa from XYZ Ventures, Tiffany Luck from XYZ Ventures, Jennifer Neundorfer from XYZ Ventures, Chris Gardner from XYZ Ventures, and Kleida Martiro from ABC Capital, will share their firsthand insights on building and scaling startups in today’s landscape. In addition to the on-stage sessions, TC All Stage will feature expert-led roundtables, founder-focused breakouts, and high-energy networking. Attendees can test their pitches in front of investors during networking meetings or watch startups compete in the “So You Think You Can Pitch” showdown.
The day will conclude with curated side events across Boston, ranging from happy hours to VIP meetups. Founders, investors, and startup operators from seed to Series C and beyond are heading to Boston for TC All Stage. The event promises to be a can’t-miss opportunity to connect, grow, and scale, with visionaries from Precursor Ventures, NEA, Index Ventures, Underscore VC, and more in attendance.
