🎋 Building a "T=0" edge in pre-seed
Illustration of how Olive Capital is engaging with web3 builders early
🗣️ The first episode of our new podcast series “Agent Economy” is available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
🎋 Building a "T=0" edge in pre-seed
For VCs, their ability to effectively source, evaluate, and secure investments is fundamental to their firm's success, especially given that the average firm invests in less than 1% of the opportunities reviewed.
Deal sourcing strategies generally fall into two main categories: inbound and outbound. Inbound sourcing occurs when startups proactively seek investment from a VC firm. This often results from a combination of the firm's reputation in the ecosystem, its marketing efforts and content marketing strategy (think free tools for builders), and network presence. Outbound sourcing involves actively seeking out potential investments through direct engagement and (sometimes data-driven) research. This is a proactive approach, essential for firms regardless of the firm having an established reputation or not.
Ideally, VC firms use a blend of inbound and outbound strategies to maintain a robust deal pipeline.
Ok, you all know that already. So why am I boring here?
For very early stage investors such as us at Olive Capital, focusing particularly on web3 pre-seed, cultivating unique deal flow sources is critical. We believe that a targeted outbound and community-building approach provides us a significant advantage and edge here.
Even though we’re chain-agnostic, one such strategy that we’re building at Olive Capital involves organizing events and workshops specifically for builders within a chosen ecosystem, like Base (an Ethereum Layer 2 network developed by Coinbase). Since the beginning of 2025, we’ve been organizing targeted events in Switzerland for Base builders and enthusiasts, that have already gathered 150 participants across 3 formats in Geneva, Lausanne, and Zurich.
We’re very excited to be organizing, and hosting on May 8 a full-day Base Workshop in Zug (Switzerland) for builders in these tracks: AI, Stablecoins, Mini-apps, Consumer.
Learn more about our May 8 Zug Base Workshop: https://lu.ma/6jghl0ts
Base has just announced the first iteration of their first Global Buildathon called "Base Batches" which includes hands-on workshops such as ours. Builders across six regions (Americas, APAC, Africa, Europe, India, LatAm) will submit on May 11 what they’ve built and 50 startups will be invited to join Base incubators and pitch at a Global Demo Day with a chance to win up to $ 1 million in funding.
By hosting Base-focused events, such as builder workshops, we Olive Capital as pre-seed web3 investors can:
identify talent early: we connect with builders at the very beginning of their journey, often before they have formally incorporated a company or started seeking funding, giving us access to opportunities significantly earlier than traditional sourcing methods might allow
build rapport from day one: by engaging with builders in a supportive context, like a workshop, this helps establish trust in Olive Capital and a positive relationship from the outset, at T=0
demonstrate value-add: by offering tangible support during these events, whether through technical guidance or facilitating connections with other relevant individuals (e.g., potential collaborators, advisors, other builders), this showcases Olive Capital’s value beyond just capital
Our hands-on, community-centric approach at Olive Capital aligns with the active networking and relationship-building crucial for successful early-stage investing, creating a proprietary channel for identifying and nurturing high-potential web3 founders before they appear on the wider market radar.
We can’t wait to leverage this May 8 opportunity to help builders build, and identify the next VEIL CASH (ZK), or BANKR (Agent Economy), or consumer (mini-)apps native to FARCASTER. Base is also home to a nascent and growing Bitcoin activity (with cbBTC) that will we believe allow for rising Bitcoin Programmability and end-user experiences beyond “BTC as store of value”, one of our fund thesis’ 3 core pillars.
Shout-out to CV Labs (cvlabs.com), thanks for hosting us! CV Labs is the heartbeat of Crypto Valley, one of the world’s largest blockchain hubs, with its epicenter in Zug, Switzerland. As the ecosystem arm of CV VC, it supports blockchain innovation through incubator programs, coworking spaces, and global events like CV Summit. CV Labs connects startups, corporates, and investors to drive the growth of the web3 ecosystem.
See you there!
Raph.
A lot of tech and web3 events we at Olive Capital are organizing (or co-organizing) in the next few week. Where to meet us next and discuss tech progress?
April 28 (Geneva): 10th pre-seed dinner focusing on ZK, the Agent Economy, and Bitcoin Programmability lu.ma/5qaw65c3, powered by Olive Capital that I am building.
April 30 (Geneva): panel event on "Gen AI et compétences tech: tout le monde entrepreneur?" with Nicolas Lagrèze (WeBuild Ventures Switzerland), Olivier Brourhant (Mantu), and Jonas Jeandupeux (Forestay Capital), in partnership with Spaces lu.ma/d3bdm42n, powered by La French Tech Suisse Romande, that I co-lead.
May 6 (online): 3rd "VC OFFICE HOURS" on "Marketing frameworks, and event strategy for web3 startups", with Eleanor Hudson, Head of Ecosystem for Fabric Ventures lu.ma/4k6i635d, powered by the Crypto Valley Association Startup & Venture working group that I co-chair.
May 8 (Zug): Base (by Coinbase) IRL Workshop to help builders participate in Base Batches #001 (a Global Base Buildathon focusing on AI, Stablecoins, Mini-apps, Consumer), get noticed, incubated, pitch and earn $1M in funding lu.ma/6jghl0ts, Zug workshop in partnership with CV Labs (shout-out to Benedek Orban).
June 5 (Zug): Apply to pitch and be part of the 10 startups selected to demo at the official Startup Competition during the 7th Crypto Valley Conference, in front of 1'500 participants cryptovalleyconference.com/startup-competition, powered by Crypto Valley Association.
