David Rakusan ·
How to Prove Traction to Investors When You're Pre-Revenue
Pre-revenue traction is real. Investors expect proof from one of three places: usage data with a retention curve, paid pilots or signed LOIs with named counterparties, or founder-led sales evidence. The bar has jumped one full stage since 2021 (Forum Ventures + Waveup 2024-2025). This guide explains what counts, what does not, and how pre-revenue founders make the case anyway.