A First Round Investor is an individual or entity that provides the initial significant funding to a startup after its seed stage. This investment typically occurs during the startup's first official round of financing, often called the Series A round. These investors help startups move from early development to scaling their business operations.
Synonyms: initial round investor, Series A investor, first financing round investor, early stage investor

First Round Investors supply the capital startups need to grow beyond the initial idea or prototype phase. Their funding supports product development, hiring key staff, marketing, and expanding operations. Unlike seed investors who fund the earliest stage, First Round Investors usually expect more concrete progress and a clearer business model.
Startups pitch their business plans to potential First Round Investors, which can include venture capital firms, angel investors, or early-stage investment funds. In exchange for their investment, these investors receive equity or ownership shares in the company. The amount raised in this round varies but is generally larger than seed funding.
A venture capital firm investing $2 million in a tech startup's Series A round is a typical example of a First Round Investor. Angel investors who participate in this round alongside venture capitalists also fit this role. These investors often bring industry experience and connections, not just money.