EPISODE · May 29, 2026 · 5 MIN
How to Get Customer References Before You Have Customers
from The Pre-Seed Podcast with Fexingo: Idea-Stage Founders, First Checks, and Earliest Funding · host Fexingo
Episode 19 dives into a counterintuitive pre-seed problem: how do you get credible customer references when you have zero customers yet? Lucas and Luna break down the playbook used by early-stage founders to secure testimonials, case studies, and social proof before their first sale. They cover specific tactics like offering free pilot access in exchange for feedback, leveraging advisory board members as vouchers, and using LinkedIn endorsements from beta users. The conversation also explores how one SaaS founder landed a glowing reference from a Fortune 500 executive simply by solving a tiny workflow problem during a trial. No theory here — just actionable steps for idea-stage founders who need proof points to close their first investors and customers. #PreSeedPodcast #Business #Technology #Startup #CustomerReferences #SocialProof #PreRevenue #FounderAdvice #VentureCapital #AngelInvestors #PilotPrograms #BetaTesting #LinkedIn #AdvisoryBoard #CaseStudies #Testimonials #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo
What this episode covers
Episode 19 dives into a counterintuitive pre-seed problem: how do you get credible customer references when you have zero customers yet? Lucas and Luna break down the playbook used by early-stage founders to secure testimonials, case studies, and social proof before their first sale. They cover specific tactics like offering free pilot access in exchange for feedback, leveraging advisory board members as vouchers, and using LinkedIn endorsements from beta users. The conversation also explores how one SaaS founder landed a glowing reference from a Fortune 500 executive simply by solving a tiny workflow problem during a trial. No theory here — just actionable steps for idea-stage founders who need proof points to close their first investors and customers. #PreSeedPodcast #Business #Technology #Startup #CustomerReferences #SocialProof #PreRevenue #FounderAdvice #VentureCapital #AngelInvestors #PilotPrograms #BetaTesting #LinkedIn #AdvisoryBoard #CaseStudies #Testimonials #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo
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How to Get Customer References Before You Have Customers
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