The short answer
Our database lists 73 startup investors in Tennessee who list pre-seed as a stage — 27% of the 273 startup investors we list in the state. Most are in Nashville (48), Chattanooga (15). (Zalarma investor database, as of 2026-11-01.)
What these investors look for
- Pre-seed checks usually come from angels, angel groups, accelerators, micro-VCs and some family offices. Expect several smaller checks rather than one lead, and plan to raise from people who know your sector or your city.
Where they are
| City | Investors |
|---|---|
| Nashville | 48 |
| Chattanooga | 15 |
What stages they back
Of the 73 records in this group that list a stage, here is how many invest at each one (investors often list several).
Investors by stage
Who they are
The mix of investor types tells you where your first checks are most likely to come from.
Investors by type
Sectors they focus on
Sector focus as listed on each record. Generalists who list many sectors are counted in each.
Investors by sector focus
Typical check sizes
Based on the 71 records that list a check size (we use the low end of a stated range).
Investors by typical check size
Firms with the most of these investors in Tennessee
Firms ranked by how many of their investors in this slice appear in our database with a stage listed. A starting map, not a ranking of quality.
| Firm | Main stages | Listed |
|---|---|---|
| Lead Capital Partners | Pre-seed, Seed | under 10 |
| Petra Capital Partners | Pre-seed, Seed, Series A, Series B+ | under 10 |
| BrainTrust | Pre-seed, Seed | under 10 |
| Daytrip Ventures | Pre-seed, Seed, Series A | under 10 |
| Brickyard | Pre-seed, Seed | under 10 |
| Lorimer Ventures | Pre-seed, Seed, Series A | under 10 |
| Jumpstart Nova | Pre-seed, Seed, Series A, Series B+ | under 10 |
| River Associates | Pre-seed, Seed, Series A, Series B+ | under 10 |
| River Associates Investments, L.P. | Pre-seed, Seed | under 10 |
| Dynamo Ventures | Pre-seed, Seed | under 10 |
| FCA Venture Partners | Pre-seed, Seed, Series A, Series B+ | under 10 |
Next steps
- See all startup investors in Tennessee.
- Compare with Pre-seed investors nationally.
- Plan your outreach with the warm intro playbook.
About this data
Counts are records in the Zalarma investor database, as of 2026-11-01: angels, venture firms and their partners, micro-VCs, family offices, corporate VCs and accelerators that list startup investing. One investor can appear in several stage or sector rows. Stage, sector and check size come from what each record lists, so not every record has every field. Counts under 10 are not shown. Firm names are listed; we do not publish personal contact details on this site. Read how we build and check the data.
Frequently asked questions
How many pre-seed investors are in Tennessee?
The Zalarma investor database lists 73 startup investors in Tennessee who list pre-seed as a stage, as of 2026-11-01.
Where in Tennessee are they?
In our data: Nashville (48), Chattanooga (15).
How do I reach them?
Shortlist the investors whose check size and focus fit your round, look for a warm path through founders they backed or local angel groups, and send a short, specific note to the rest. Zalarma can build the shortlist for you.