Help Center

Learn how TinyTechFund works, understand funding terminology, and find answers to common questions.

How It Works

Step 1

SEC Filings Ingested

We pull Form D filings from the SEC's EDGAR database — the official record of private fundraising in the US.

Step 2

AI Enrichment

Each company is enriched with AI-generated descriptions, industry classifications, and search embeddings.

Step 3

Explore & Discover

Browse companies on an interactive map, search with natural language, and view detailed profiles.

Funding Round Types

Companies report the type of securities they're offering in their Form D filings. Here's what each type means.

Equity

A traditional ownership-stake investment. Investors purchase shares in the company, becoming partial owners. The most common type of startup fundraising — investors profit if the company grows in value.

Debt

Loan-based financing such as convertible notes, bonds, or other debt instruments. The company borrows money and agrees to repay it, often with interest. Some debt instruments can convert into equity later.

SAFE

Simple Agreement for Future Equity — a convertible instrument created by Y Combinator. Unlike convertible notes, SAFEs have no interest rate or maturity date. Investors receive equity in a future priced round.

Options

The right (but not obligation) to purchase equity at a predetermined price in the future. Commonly used in employee compensation (stock options) and sometimes offered to early investors or advisors.

Fund

A pooled investment vehicle where multiple investors contribute capital into a single fund entity. The fund then invests in startups on behalf of its investors. Common for venture capital and angel funds.

Other

A catch-all for instruments that don't fit neatly into the above categories. This can include revenue-based financing, royalty agreements, or uncommon security types reported in SEC filings.

Glossary

Key terms you'll encounter while using TinyTechFund.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about TinyTechFund.