TLDR:
- Seattle’s startup ecosystem lacks a “middle layer” of Series A, B, and C companies
- Breakwater Ventures aims to fill this gap by providing institutional risk capital at the pre-seed stage
In a recent episode of the Startup Project podcast, Peter Mueller of Breakwater Ventures discussed the missing “middle layer” in Seattle’s startup ecosystem. Despite the city’s potential with tech giants like Amazon and Microsoft, there is a gap in funding for Series A, B, and C companies. Mueller highlighted the risk-averse nature of angel investors and over-analysis as hindrances to the growth of startups. Breakwater Ventures seeks to address this gap by providing institutional risk capital at the pre-seed stage, focusing on software-centric founders in Seattle and Vancouver. Mueller also discussed the investment trends in AI, emphasizing the importance of technical depth and a strong understanding of technology landscape in fundraising decisions. To learn more about these insights, check out the full conversation on the Startup Project podcast.
