Arc5 Ventures
@arc5ventures.com
go to revenue (gtr) isn’t a trend, it’s our playbook. a5v backs founders who make impact (and money) in the real world.
the best founders don’t pitch. they explain.
we met one this week who turned 3 spreadsheets into a working ai model.
no buzzwords.
just shipping.
we met one this week who turned 3 spreadsheets into a working ai model.
no buzzwords.
just shipping.
December 12, 2025 at 10:59 PM
the best founders don’t pitch. they explain.
we met one this week who turned 3 spreadsheets into a working ai model.
no buzzwords.
just shipping.
we met one this week who turned 3 spreadsheets into a working ai model.
no buzzwords.
just shipping.
the best founders aren’t louder,
they’re deeper.
• insiders who’ve lived the pain
• builders who sell before the deck
• founders who’d solve it with or without funding
ai is easy.
insight is rare.
depth wins.
they’re deeper.
• insiders who’ve lived the pain
• builders who sell before the deck
• founders who’d solve it with or without funding
ai is easy.
insight is rare.
depth wins.
December 11, 2025 at 7:58 PM
the best founders aren’t louder,
they’re deeper.
• insiders who’ve lived the pain
• builders who sell before the deck
• founders who’d solve it with or without funding
ai is easy.
insight is rare.
depth wins.
they’re deeper.
• insiders who’ve lived the pain
• builders who sell before the deck
• founders who’d solve it with or without funding
ai is easy.
insight is rare.
depth wins.
traction isn’t a line on a slide.
it’s a discipline.
look past polish for the quiet signals:
– repeat buyers
– short sales cycles
– low churn with no hand-holding
the best early products don’t impress.
they convert.
it’s a discipline.
look past polish for the quiet signals:
– repeat buyers
– short sales cycles
– low churn with no hand-holding
the best early products don’t impress.
they convert.
December 10, 2025 at 7:58 PM
traction isn’t a line on a slide.
it’s a discipline.
look past polish for the quiet signals:
– repeat buyers
– short sales cycles
– low churn with no hand-holding
the best early products don’t impress.
they convert.
it’s a discipline.
look past polish for the quiet signals:
– repeat buyers
– short sales cycles
– low churn with no hand-holding
the best early products don’t impress.
they convert.
the best due diligence isn’t data.
it’s silence.
founders fill it with either insight or excuses.
it’s silence.
founders fill it with either insight or excuses.
December 9, 2025 at 8:00 PM
the best due diligence isn’t data.
it’s silence.
founders fill it with either insight or excuses.
it’s silence.
founders fill it with either insight or excuses.
learn from @HustleFundVC
small checks move faster than big egos.
small checks move faster than big egos.
December 8, 2025 at 7:56 PM
learn from @HustleFundVC
small checks move faster than big egos.
small checks move faster than big egos.
ai isn’t the moat.
distribution is.
in this playbook, we don’t back tinkerers.
we back translators,
founders who can turn domain insight into dollars.
because the winners won’t be the ones who build the best model.
they’ll be the ones who sell it best.
distribution is.
in this playbook, we don’t back tinkerers.
we back translators,
founders who can turn domain insight into dollars.
because the winners won’t be the ones who build the best model.
they’ll be the ones who sell it best.
December 5, 2025 at 8:00 PM
ai isn’t the moat.
distribution is.
in this playbook, we don’t back tinkerers.
we back translators,
founders who can turn domain insight into dollars.
because the winners won’t be the ones who build the best model.
they’ll be the ones who sell it best.
distribution is.
in this playbook, we don’t back tinkerers.
we back translators,
founders who can turn domain insight into dollars.
because the winners won’t be the ones who build the best model.
they’ll be the ones who sell it best.
In an age drunk on pitch decks and pretense,
we invest in what dares to make cents.
Let others chase unicorns in dreams,
we prefer quiet companies that gleam.
we invest in what dares to make cents.
Let others chase unicorns in dreams,
we prefer quiet companies that gleam.
December 4, 2025 at 8:02 PM
In an age drunk on pitch decks and pretense,
we invest in what dares to make cents.
Let others chase unicorns in dreams,
we prefer quiet companies that gleam.
we invest in what dares to make cents.
Let others chase unicorns in dreams,
we prefer quiet companies that gleam.
backed a founder who treats ai like plumbing:
quiet,
efficient,
invisible.
that’s who wins.
not the ones holding microphones.
quiet,
efficient,
invisible.
that’s who wins.
not the ones holding microphones.
December 3, 2025 at 7:59 PM
backed a founder who treats ai like plumbing:
quiet,
efficient,
invisible.
that’s who wins.
not the ones holding microphones.
quiet,
efficient,
invisible.
that’s who wins.
not the ones holding microphones.
met a founder who spent 3 months chasing a pitch deck template.
we told him to build a customer instead.
we told him to build a customer instead.
December 2, 2025 at 8:04 PM
met a founder who spent 3 months chasing a pitch deck template.
we told him to build a customer instead.
we told him to build a customer instead.
revenue is the only traction that can’t be spun.
not vanity metrics. not slide decks.
if the model doesn’t work at $10k ARR,
it won’t magically work at $10M.
not vanity metrics. not slide decks.
if the model doesn’t work at $10k ARR,
it won’t magically work at $10M.
December 1, 2025 at 8:01 PM
revenue is the only traction that can’t be spun.
not vanity metrics. not slide decks.
if the model doesn’t work at $10k ARR,
it won’t magically work at $10M.
not vanity metrics. not slide decks.
if the model doesn’t work at $10k ARR,
it won’t magically work at $10M.
launching is theater.
revenue is war.
at arc5, we skip the dress rehearsal:
– ship early
– price by pain
– land real $$ before the deck drops
if you’re not charging, you’re not learning.
you’re just burning.
revenue is war.
at arc5, we skip the dress rehearsal:
– ship early
– price by pain
– land real $$ before the deck drops
if you’re not charging, you’re not learning.
you’re just burning.
November 21, 2025 at 4:49 AM
launching is theater.
revenue is war.
at arc5, we skip the dress rehearsal:
– ship early
– price by pain
– land real $$ before the deck drops
if you’re not charging, you’re not learning.
you’re just burning.
revenue is war.
at arc5, we skip the dress rehearsal:
– ship early
– price by pain
– land real $$ before the deck drops
if you’re not charging, you’re not learning.
you’re just burning.
every “impossible” startup we’ve backed started the same way,
with someone who didn’t wait for permission.
with someone who didn’t wait for permission.
November 20, 2025 at 5:17 AM
every “impossible” startup we’ve backed started the same way,
with someone who didn’t wait for permission.
with someone who didn’t wait for permission.
the dirty secret of pre seed?
nobody has a clue.
the winners just hide it better.
the whole point is simple:
you’re not betting on data, you’re betting on judgment.
the right people know exactly what that means.
funders who get this usually DM us.
founders too.
nobody has a clue.
the winners just hide it better.
the whole point is simple:
you’re not betting on data, you’re betting on judgment.
the right people know exactly what that means.
funders who get this usually DM us.
founders too.
November 15, 2025 at 12:07 AM
the dirty secret of pre seed?
nobody has a clue.
the winners just hide it better.
the whole point is simple:
you’re not betting on data, you’re betting on judgment.
the right people know exactly what that means.
funders who get this usually DM us.
founders too.
nobody has a clue.
the winners just hide it better.
the whole point is simple:
you’re not betting on data, you’re betting on judgment.
the right people know exactly what that means.
funders who get this usually DM us.
founders too.
everyone’s busy “raising rounds.”
few are raising standards.
few are raising standards.
November 13, 2025 at 2:56 PM
everyone’s busy “raising rounds.”
few are raising standards.
few are raising standards.
most “thought leadership” is just fear of irrelevance wearing a suit.
November 13, 2025 at 12:18 AM
most “thought leadership” is just fear of irrelevance wearing a suit.
sf isn’t a bubble.
it’s a pressure cooker.
weak ideas pop.
good ones crystallize.
we stay for the heat.
it’s a pressure cooker.
weak ideas pop.
good ones crystallize.
we stay for the heat.
November 12, 2025 at 3:05 AM
sf isn’t a bubble.
it’s a pressure cooker.
weak ideas pop.
good ones crystallize.
we stay for the heat.
it’s a pressure cooker.
weak ideas pop.
good ones crystallize.
we stay for the heat.
the unicorn era is ending.
the next wave of ai startups won’t be built on hype or headcount.
they’ll be built by operators
who’ve lived the problem,
and know how to solve it.
at arc5, we don’t chase moonshots.
we back the builders of the real economy.
the next wave of ai startups won’t be built on hype or headcount.
they’ll be built by operators
who’ve lived the problem,
and know how to solve it.
at arc5, we don’t chase moonshots.
we back the builders of the real economy.
November 10, 2025 at 5:58 PM
the unicorn era is ending.
the next wave of ai startups won’t be built on hype or headcount.
they’ll be built by operators
who’ve lived the problem,
and know how to solve it.
at arc5, we don’t chase moonshots.
we back the builders of the real economy.
the next wave of ai startups won’t be built on hype or headcount.
they’ll be built by operators
who’ve lived the problem,
and know how to solve it.
at arc5, we don’t chase moonshots.
we back the builders of the real economy.
“pre-seed” is just latin for:
“nobody knows what they’re doing yet.”
we like that stage best.
“nobody knows what they’re doing yet.”
we like that stage best.
November 9, 2025 at 6:20 AM
“pre-seed” is just latin for:
“nobody knows what they’re doing yet.”
we like that stage best.
“nobody knows what they’re doing yet.”
we like that stage best.
no need for moonshots or fancy decks.
just a customer saying, “send the check.”
ai makes noise. profit whispers.
just a customer saying, “send the check.”
ai makes noise. profit whispers.
November 8, 2025 at 5:21 AM
no need for moonshots or fancy decks.
just a customer saying, “send the check.”
ai makes noise. profit whispers.
just a customer saying, “send the check.”
ai makes noise. profit whispers.
in the ai era, code is cheap.
what’s rare?
a founder who’s lived the problem.
we back domain experts,
the ones who know the one lever that actually moves revenue.
you don’t need novelty.
you need precision.
what’s rare?
a founder who’s lived the problem.
we back domain experts,
the ones who know the one lever that actually moves revenue.
you don’t need novelty.
you need precision.
November 7, 2025 at 5:29 AM
in the ai era, code is cheap.
what’s rare?
a founder who’s lived the problem.
we back domain experts,
the ones who know the one lever that actually moves revenue.
you don’t need novelty.
you need precision.
what’s rare?
a founder who’s lived the problem.
we back domain experts,
the ones who know the one lever that actually moves revenue.
you don’t need novelty.
you need precision.
startups don’t die from lack of code.
they die from lack of cash.
that’s why we talk go-to-revenue, not go-to-market.
gtr means:
• ship fast
• sell earlier
• price by pain
• build what closes, not what demos
traction isn’t vanity,
it’s oxygen.
they die from lack of cash.
that’s why we talk go-to-revenue, not go-to-market.
gtr means:
• ship fast
• sell earlier
• price by pain
• build what closes, not what demos
traction isn’t vanity,
it’s oxygen.
November 5, 2025 at 11:57 PM
startups don’t die from lack of code.
they die from lack of cash.
that’s why we talk go-to-revenue, not go-to-market.
gtr means:
• ship fast
• sell earlier
• price by pain
• build what closes, not what demos
traction isn’t vanity,
it’s oxygen.
they die from lack of cash.
that’s why we talk go-to-revenue, not go-to-market.
gtr means:
• ship fast
• sell earlier
• price by pain
• build what closes, not what demos
traction isn’t vanity,
it’s oxygen.
chase scale or chase sales.
only one leaves real trails.
raise less, build smart, ship what sells.
only one leaves real trails.
raise less, build smart, ship what sells.
November 5, 2025 at 5:40 AM
chase scale or chase sales.
only one leaves real trails.
raise less, build smart, ship what sells.
only one leaves real trails.
raise less, build smart, ship what sells.
🧨 Tax-free 10x?
Yes, if you know about QSBS.
We’re structuring this pre-seed round for Qualified Small Business Stock treatment:
➡️ Up to $10M in capital gains could be federally tax-exempt on exit.
It’s 1 of the most overlooked advantages in early-stage investing.
Yes, if you know about QSBS.
We’re structuring this pre-seed round for Qualified Small Business Stock treatment:
➡️ Up to $10M in capital gains could be federally tax-exempt on exit.
It’s 1 of the most overlooked advantages in early-stage investing.
November 3, 2025 at 9:29 PM
🧨 Tax-free 10x?
Yes, if you know about QSBS.
We’re structuring this pre-seed round for Qualified Small Business Stock treatment:
➡️ Up to $10M in capital gains could be federally tax-exempt on exit.
It’s 1 of the most overlooked advantages in early-stage investing.
Yes, if you know about QSBS.
We’re structuring this pre-seed round for Qualified Small Business Stock treatment:
➡️ Up to $10M in capital gains could be federally tax-exempt on exit.
It’s 1 of the most overlooked advantages in early-stage investing.
growth rate + operating margin > 40%.
that’s the rule of 40.
and it’s the only startup math that matters in this model.
because if your revenue engine works,
everything else is optional.
that’s the rule of 40.
and it’s the only startup math that matters in this model.
because if your revenue engine works,
everything else is optional.
November 1, 2025 at 2:09 AM
growth rate + operating margin > 40%.
that’s the rule of 40.
and it’s the only startup math that matters in this model.
because if your revenue engine works,
everything else is optional.
that’s the rule of 40.
and it’s the only startup math that matters in this model.
because if your revenue engine works,
everything else is optional.
launching is easy.
landing revenue is the hard part.
at arc5, we back founders who:
– charge from day zero
– validate with invoices, not surveys
– build what people pay for, not clap for
if money isn’t flowing, it’s not a business.
it’s a hobby with a website.
landing revenue is the hard part.
at arc5, we back founders who:
– charge from day zero
– validate with invoices, not surveys
– build what people pay for, not clap for
if money isn’t flowing, it’s not a business.
it’s a hobby with a website.
October 31, 2025 at 3:35 AM
launching is easy.
landing revenue is the hard part.
at arc5, we back founders who:
– charge from day zero
– validate with invoices, not surveys
– build what people pay for, not clap for
if money isn’t flowing, it’s not a business.
it’s a hobby with a website.
landing revenue is the hard part.
at arc5, we back founders who:
– charge from day zero
– validate with invoices, not surveys
– build what people pay for, not clap for
if money isn’t flowing, it’s not a business.
it’s a hobby with a website.