Open Water (VC/Accelerator) is an early-stage investment and founder support organization that combines early capital with accelerator-style growth support for startups. It brands itself as a partner that helps “ambitious founders” get to market faster by offering both funding and operational support. 

Specific Funding Stage
Pre-Seed / Seed: Primary focus on early-stage companies — typically pre-product or initial go-to-market startups — where combined capital and execution support accelerates early traction.
Accelerator Pathway: Includes a structured accelerator that transforms a yearly roadmap into an intensive, ~12-week growth program with dedicated engineering, design, and growth teams assigned to select companies. 

Investment Size & Model
Early Capital: Open Water deploys early funding (typical seed checks) to help founders accelerate product and market milestone execution, though specific check sizes aren’t publicly listed and are typically negotiated per deal.
Hybrid Support Model: Combines funding plus operational teams (engineers, designers, growth specialists) as part of the accelerator experience — a hybrid between a traditional VC and a growth studio. 

Application & Founders Engagement
Unconventional Intake: Startups can engage Open Water by submitting a short voice memo describing the company, after which the team may schedule a meeting if there’s alignment. 
Direct Outreach: The firm encourages founders to text pitch materials or engage directly through its platform, prioritizing founder initiative and fit.

Sector Focus: Broad and founder-driven without strict vertical constraints; emphasis on early potential and founder ability to execute. 
Geography: U.S.-based startups or companies able to engage with the accelerator’s located teams. 
Profile: Pre-seed/seed startups with an MVP or early product direction, looking for both capital and hands-on acceleration.

Initial Intake: Founders submit core pitch materials (including voice memo) for quick assessment. 
 Screen & Recruit: The platform recruits top startups and matches them with internal operational teams as part of the accelerator cohort. 
 Program & Grow: Participating companies undertake intensive roadmap acceleration with engineers, designers, and growth hackers over the program duration. 
 Investor Demo Day: Startups typically present to investors at the end of cohort programming (“Demo Day”).

Strategic Capital: Early funding to accelerate product development and runway extension. 
 Growth & Product Support: Dedicated engineers, designers, and growth specialists to help shape execution. 
 Investor Access: Demo Day exposure and networking with early-stage investors at the conclusion of the accelerator.