Founders First  ·  Applications Open
For Seed to Series A Founders

From deck
to term sheet.

The fundraising programme that puts you in front of investors who are actively deploying capital, not a database. Real introductions. Live feedback. A structured path to close.

Who can apply
Seed Stage Series A Diverse Founding Teams Female-Led Teams EU  ·  UK  ·  US

Applications reviewed on a rolling basis · No commitment to apply · Or open the full application form

Application received.

Thank you. We'll be in touch.
Contact: hello@blossom-ventures.com

What's included in Founders First
01
Self-Paced Modules
Fundraising mechanics, narrative construction, investor psychology and term sheet literacy, built for founders who need to close.
02
Live Group Sessions
Cohort calls with pitch practice, peer feedback and hot-seat sessions with Blossom's investment committee.
03
Pitch & Deck Review
Your full deck and narrative reviewed by Maria Koletsou, an active investor who has seen both sides of the table. Specific, actionable, honest.
★
1:1 Investor Introductions
Warm introductions into Blossom's network of 70+ active investors across Europe, Asia and the US. The introductions are the core of the programme.
70+Active Investors
EU · Asia · USGeographic Reach
Seed → AStage Focus
WarmIntros Only
LiveIC Feedback
Free Resources

Understand the room before you're in it.

Three free resources for founders preparing to raise. No application required.

Free Guide
What Investors Actually Look For in a Deck
The questions angel investors ask in the first minutes of a pitch, and how to answer them before they are asked.
Get the Guide →
Free Framework
The Founder Narrative Framework
Why you, why now, why this market. A three-part story structure for the pitch.
Download Free →
Free Reference
Term Sheet 101: What You're Actually Signing
Valuation caps, pro-rata rights and information rights: the clauses that matter, explained plainly.
Get the Reference →
The Problem We're Solving

Diverse teams are a return opportunity.
The market hasn't priced it yet.

9.3%
Higher IRR from diverse-led teams
Source: EWVC data, as cited by Blossom Ventures.
The evidence is a return argument
Blossom invests on evidence, not advocacy. The data we rely on is a return argument, which is why Diversity Alpha is our investment thesis.
The gap is access, not only preparation
Most fundraising programmes teach you how to pitch. Fewer put you in the room. Founders First does both: the preparation and the investor introductions.
We built the network first
Blossom's 70+ investors are actively deploying capital. Founders First is the structured route from preparation to those introductions.
Programme Format

Self-paced. Live. Introduced.

Three layers working together, because knowledge alone doesn't close rounds.

01
Self-Paced Foundation
Modules covering fundraising mechanics, investor psychology, narrative architecture, term sheet literacy and data room preparation. Work at your pace and reference them later.
On demand  ·  Lifetime access
★
1:1 Investor Introductions
Warm introductions to active investors in the Blossom network, matched to your sector, stage and geography.
Curated matching  ·  Warm intro only
02
Live Group Sessions
Cohort calls with pitch practice, peer feedback and hot-seat sessions with Blossom's investment committee. Small cohorts.
Regular cadence  ·  Small cohorts
03
Pitch & Deck Review
Your full deck, narrative and data room reviewed by an active investor. Specific, actionable, honest.
1:1 review  ·  Written feedback
Who Should Apply

Built for founders who are
ready to raise.

Not for founders still working out product-market fit. For founders with traction who need capital to scale it.

Diverse Founding Teams
Teams where diversity of background, experience, gender or discipline is part of how they build.
Primary cohort
Female-Led Teams
A female founder or co-founder at seed to Series A, with traction and a clear thesis, looking for investors who understand the market they are building in.
Actively sought
EU · UK · US Founders
Building in Europe with global ambitions, or building globally with European roots. Blossom's network spans all three geographies.
Pan-European + US
The Introductions

Not a database.
A warm conversation.

Every introduction made through Founders First is curated and contextualised. The investor has been briefed and you have been prepared. The meeting has a purpose.

The Network
70+ Active Angel Investors
Blossom's syndicate spans Europe, Asia and the US. Its members are investors actively deploying capital.
The Process
Matched. Briefed. Introduced.
We match your company to relevant investors by sector, stage and thesis, and brief them before making the introduction. You walk in with context.
★
Eligible for syndicate consideration Founders who complete Founders First are eligible for consideration by the Blossom syndicate. This is not a promise of investment, but a genuine route to the investment committee.
How It Works

Four steps from
application to close.

Step 01
Apply
Short application. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Selective cohorts.
Step 02
Prepare
Self-paced modules and 1:1 deck review, so you are pitch-ready before you meet investors.
Step 03
Pitch
Live cohort sessions and investment committee hot-seat. Warm investor introductions begin here.
Step 04
Close
Ongoing introductions, follow-up support and possible consideration by the Blossom syndicate.
Why Blossom

Run by investors
who are deploying capital.

Founders First is run by an active angel syndicate with 10 live investments across the full lifecycle.

✓
Active Deal FlowBlossom deploys capital from pre-seed to Series B, with lifecycle deals for Super Angels. Founders in this programme meet investors who are actively looking for their next deal.
✓
VC of the Year 2025 ShortlistMaria Koletsou, founder of Blossom, was shortlisted for VC of the Year 2025 at the GP Bullhound Allstars Awards.
✓
Women Invest EU MemberBlossom is part of the European ecosystem supporting gender-smart capital allocation.
✓
Practitioner-LedEvery module, session and introduction comes from investing experience, with 30+ personal investments made by the founder.
Blossom Portfolio, Active Investments
Canva  Pre-IPOSpaceX  Pre-IPO · Listed 2026GAIA  Series A Phagos  Series AFiber Foods The Better MenopauseAgave Health Messaging StudioFit Collective

Founders who complete Founders First are eligible for syndicate consideration.

Applications Open

Ready to be
in the room?

Selective cohorts. Rolling applications.

Application received. Thank you.

hello@blossom-ventures.com  ·  No commitment to apply  ·  Founders First application form

Not ready to raise yet?
Learn how investors think, before you pitch them.

The Angel Academy (BVDA) teaches you how active investors evaluate deals, structure terms and make decisions.

Explore the Academy →
Self-paced online  ·  Next intake 25 January 2027