Requests for Startups is VC Cafe’s running guide to what top investors, accelerators, and startup ecosystems want to fund next. If you want to understand where seed and pre-seed capital is moving, start here.
Last updated: May 1, 2026
Best Starting Points
- Requests for Startups: Summer 2026 edition
- Requests for Startups 2026 edition
- Requests for Startups in 2025
- Extended Requests for Startups 2025 list
- Requests for Startups in 2024
What You’ll Find in This Hub
- What YC, a16z, ARK, Speedrun, and other investors are signaling
- Which startup categories are heating up fastest
- Where founders can spot whitespace before the herd arrives
- How these requests map to Israeli founders and global venture trends
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FAQ
What is a request for startups?
It is an investor or accelerator thesis about the kinds of startups they most want to back next, often revealing where they believe new markets are emerging.
Why do these requests matter for founders?
They offer a real-time view into what capital is looking for, which makes them useful as a demand signal when shaping a startup idea or positioning a raise.
How often is this VC Cafe hub updated?
Whenever a major new investor request list is published or when a new edition of the Requests for Startups series goes live on VC Cafe.