FirstGlance review
A free startup discovery tool with filters, founder profiles, and investor-founder connections.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
FirstGlance is a startup discovery platform for investors and founders. It combines searchable startup listings with filters for industry, stage, location, and other criteria. Investors can browse companies, save searches, follow company progress, review traction and fundraising information, request information, schedule meetings, and connect directly with founders. Founders can create profiles, control the information they share, display verified metrics, and monitor profile engagement. The service is available on the web and iOS, and was founded in 2024.
Discovery is the product’s clearest strength. Saved searches, company following, progress updates, mobile notifications, and profile-view analytics support ongoing monitoring rather than one-time browsing. The category features include company profiles, funding data, founder profiles, and advanced search. These tools give investors multiple ways to narrow a startup set and identify opportunities for further contact. Founder profiles add a direct connection layer, while controlled information sharing lets founders decide what to present.
The connection workflow extends beyond database browsing. Users can request information and schedule meetings, while founders can see engagement with their profiles. The platform promotes free account creation and a FirstGlance Pro founder offering, giving founders an additional product path alongside the core discovery experience. FirstGlance is a strong fit for investors seeking searchable startup discovery and founders who want profile visibility and direct conversations. It is less suited to teams requiring a broader platform footprint, open-source deployment, or access outside web and iOS.
FirstGlance pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Free startup browsing with filters for industry, stage, and location
- Traction, fundraising, founder profile, and engagement information
- Requests, meeting scheduling, notifications, and direct connections
- Where it doesn't
- Available through web and iOS, with no other platforms listed
- Not open source, limiting self-hosted or code-level customization
- Founder information access depends on each profile’s sharing controls
FirstGlance fact sheet, pricing and score →
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