What People Say.

Being part of this founder community has been a transformative experience for New Native. The dedication to connecting us with crucial talent and the proactive follow-ups with potential investors have been instrumental in accelerating our growth.

It's unreal how hands-on they are when it comes to introductions. Before we even landed in San Francisco, we were already connected to the right people—partners, clients, investors. And it didn't stop there. Every introduction is relevant, every door opened at the perfect time. This is what real access looks like.

We chose this platform because they're in it with us. They don't just write a cheque—they roll up their sleeves. Their focus and hands-on support have been game changers. With them, we've unlocked partnerships we couldn't have reached on our own.

This network has been an invaluable partner, providing not only expertise but also actively using our product and championing it to their extensive network, driving new customers and expanding our reach. Their rockstar team brings deep expertise and genuine enthusiasm.

First Degree isn't just another early-stage fund. Kaan shows up like a co-founder—no fluff, just sharp thinking, real access, and relentless hustle. You don't get that from a traditional VC.

Exactly the kind of person we want to work with — real operational experience, not just another VC. Built and scaled businesses, 10,000 hires — that's rare in Europe.

Your model is very interesting. It's easy to work with people like you—who add value without crowding the cap table. What you do is highly compatible with how we operate.

You're structuring what the best angels do into a fund—and that makes a whole lot of sense. What you do is very compatible, a good model in terms of adding value. It's easy to work with people like you.

I'm here for the long term, and so are you. I can see the energy you bring, and I genuinely want to help. It's all about give and take—and you've built something people want to support.

You're clearly playing your card right—your background in recruiting and your massive network are your right to win. You're adding real value early on, not just for founders but also for funds like ours. And that's rare.

You have real access to deals—founders and VCs genuinely want to work with you. That's not something you see every day. You've built a network that brings not just opportunities, but trust. And it shows in how fast you got started.

We review over 500 funds and move forward with only a handful. First Degree stands out. You're not building a traditional fund—you're building something with edge, powered by real access and relentless execution.

Kudos. What you've built is inspiring. You bring structure, focus, and an edge that comes from relationships you've built over decades. That can't be copied—and it's what makes founders and LPs want to work with you.

You absolutely need to write a book. You've done a hundred thousand interviews. The way you think, the way you work—it's a story worth telling.

You're pretty open about your stage. If it's a brilliant team—even pre-seed—you're ready to go in. That's amazing.

You've been doing this for minutes, but you're learning from superstars and moving like someone who's done it for years. I think it makes a lot of sense to work together—we're very aligned.

I really loved our chat, and I could truly resonate with your values—being about people and the network. I think you bring a lot of value in terms of connecting others. That's why I thought it was worth following up.

I totally love your approach. A lot of what you're saying really clicks with me. I share the same values—this is a people business.

You've carved out a great position—everyone wants to work with you. You bring flexibility, value, and trust without the typical constraints. That's rare, and it makes you easy to include on any cap table.

I appreciate what you're building. You've got strong instincts, a great eye for teams, and we're happy to co-invest when it fits. Let's definitely do something together.

You've clearly built something solid. The structure, the energy, the way you operate—it's impressive. I'm genuinely grateful to learn from what you've already put in place.

In terms of ticket size and stage, it all feels pretty complementary. We're not sharp-elbowed either—so this could work really well. It makes sense.

I really appreciate how you operate—open, direct, and founder-first. I can already tell there's a lot we could do together.

You're clearly building something with strong foundations—relationships first, smart flexibility, and fast-moving structure. That's rare, and it makes a lot of sense to team up.

You've built a highly structured and founder-focused setup. From operating partners to deal flow and systems—it's clear you're not improvising. You're scaling with purpose.

We really like co-investors like you—hands-on, strategic, and deeply connected across Europe and the US. You bring founder empathy and operating depth that's rare in early-stage investing.

I see you, through and through. You're a storyteller, and you're clearly doing this for the right reasons—with purpose, heart, and hustle.

First Degree isn't just a fund — it's an acceleration platform. They help founders get to the next level faster, with smart capital and real hands-on support.

Kaan moves fast, brings real founder empathy, and has a killer network. Working with First Degree feels like co-investing with the operator you always wish you had on speed dial.

We're deeply aligned with First Degree's belief that people and networks are what drive venture outcomes. The way Kaan leverages access—real, actionable access—to help founders win is rare and incredibly valuable.

What Kaan is building with First Degree is exactly what the ecosystem needs—sharp instincts, honest conviction, and a community-first mindset. It's more than capital. It's partnership.

You're not just another user—you're building something meaningful. The way you think about structure, scale, and relevance is exactly why tools like ours exist. And if we can make it work for you, we can make it work for thousands.

You've clearly thought deeply about what matters—and it shows. You're building a fund around people, partnerships, and purpose. That's rare in venture.

You're ahead of your time. You do it better than most people. They just dive in — you learn first.

Your superpower is the people network. Recruiting, scaling, knowing who matters — that's what makes First Degree unique.