Landing a pre-seed or seed check is brutal: inboxes overflow, diligence drags, and founders burn runway 🔥. Imagine a partner who replies within a week, wires up to $100k, and then plugs you into a cross-Pacific network that’s birthed unicorns like Sendbird. That partner is Bernard Moon—co-founder of SparkLabs Group and one of the most globally connected angels you’ll meet.🎯🌟
Who Is Bernard Moon and Why Founders Listen
Bernard Moon isn’t just another name on a cap table—he’s a founder-turned-investor who truly understands what it takes to scale across borders 🌏. With decades of experience as both an operator and VC, Moon has quietly built one of the most globally connected networks in early-stage tech 🤝. Here’s why founders from San Francisco to Seoul keep him at the top of their outreach lists:
- 🚀 Co-founded SparkLabs Group, a network of accelerators and VC funds spanning the U.S., Korea, Europe, and beyond.
- 📈 Personally backed 90+ startups with two unicorn outcomes—Sendbird and Memebox.
- 🧠 Former serial entrepreneur: built Vidquik (acquired) and led global BD at Lycos.
- ⚡ Fast mover: average time from intro to money is 7–14 days (Signal NFX).
- 📝 Contributor to TechCrunch, Forbes, and advisor to the Seoul Metropolitan Government.
One-liner: Bernard Moon blends operator empathy with global VC firepower—rare fuel for first-time and repeat founders alike.
Bernard Moon’s Thesis — “Think Global, Ship Fast”
Moon doesn’t just invest in startups—he backs global contenders from day one. His thesis is rooted in finding teams who think cross-border from the outset, not as an afterthought. Even at pre-seed, Moon hunts for teams that already dream in multiple time zones 🌐.
Core pillars:
- 🌍 Global Vision Early – Products that can cross borders by design, not retrofit.
- 👨💻 Technical or Repeat Founders – Code or scar tissue is non-negotiable.
- 🧩 Scalable Tech Plays – SaaS, AI, fintech, and enterprise software dominate the deck.
- 🌏 US-Asia Bridge – Unique advantage for teams eyeing Korea or broader Asian growth.
- 🏃♀️ Speed & Grit – Evidence of rapid iteration outranks polished vanity metrics.
Takeaway: Show how you’ll conquer markets, not just segments, and you’re speaking Bernard’s language.
Angel Deal Terms at a Glance — Bernard Moon’s Sweet Spot
Bernard Moon moves quickly—but only when the deal structure makes sense. He’s not chasing unicorn promises; he’s looking for clarity, fit, and fair terms that allow both founder and funder to win. A fast “yes” only happens when terms align.
| Stage | Typical Check | Key Sectors | Geo Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-Seed | $25k–$75k | SaaS, AI, Fintech, Developer Tools | U.S., Korea |
| Seed | $75k–$100k | Enterprise SW, Consumer, Marketplaces | Global (NA, EU, Asia) |
Takeaway: If you’re raising a sub-$3M round in SaaS/AI, Bernard fits like a glove.
What Bernard Moon Looks For (Beyond the Hype)
Moon has seen thousands of decks—but only a few stand out beyond the buzzwords. What makes the cut? Founders who bring substance, self-awareness, and serious signals of execution. These are the traits that get his attention fast:
- 🤝 Complementary Co-Founders – Solo founders are a tough sell.
- 👂 Coachability – You can spar, but you must listen.
- 🔍 Early Proof of PMF – Even five user interviews beat zero data.
- 📊 Clear Market Insight – Know the “why now” better than your deck design.
- 💪 Resilience Signals – Past pivots, military service, failed startups—battle scars welcome.
Inside Bernard Moon’s Portfolio
Moon’s card stack shows how his thesis plays out. His investment bets aren’t just theory—they’re proof of his pattern recognition across sectors and geographies. From API platforms to fintech darlings, his portfolio reflects his belief in technical founders solving global problems.
| Company | Sector | Round Joined | Why It Fits Bernard’s Lens |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sendbird | SaaS / Dev Tools | Seed | Global API play & Korean roots 🌏 |
| Giphy (exit) | Consumer | Seed | Viral consumer platform with massive market size |
| CodeSignal | Future of Work | Seed | Technical founders fixing dev hiring pain ⚙️ |
| Standard Cognition | AI / Retail | Seed | Deep tech + global retail market |
| Sunday | Fintech/Consumer | Seed | Rapid U.S. traction & cross-border potential 💳 |
Takeaway: Pattern match your story to these wins and you’ll signal “portfolio fit” instantly.
Cold Outreach Playbook: Stand Out in Bernard Moon’s Inbox
Subject: “Global SaaS w/ 40% MoM—Intro via BC Alum?”
- 💡 Line 1: 1-sentence problem + quantified pain (“Retail stockouts cost $500B yearly”).
- 💬 Line 2: Your solution in plain English and one traction stat 📈.
- 🌐 Line 3: Why you’re the global team to win—mention Korea/U.S. beachheads.
- 💰 Line 4: Current raise, instrument (SAFE), allocation for Bernard ($75k).
- 📎 Line 5: Attach deck; include warm ref if possible.
Skip the fluff—Moon scans for data, global hook, and clear ask.
Life After the Wire: What Founders Actually Get
Getting the check is just the start—Bernard Moon stays in your corner long after the wire hits. His value multiplies at Series A time, during cross-border expansion, and when GTM needs sharper execution. Here’s what founders actually get from his post-investment playbook:
- 🤝 Warm intros to tier-1 VCs such as Sequoia, Accel, and Khosla when it’s Series A time.
- 🌏 US-Asia market access through SparkLabs accelerators in Seoul and Taipei.
- 📈 Hands-on GTM help—Moon’s Lycos BD chops translate into partnership playbooks.
- 🧑💼 Founder community—90+ angels peers swap talent and vendor hacks.
Anecdote: After Moon’s seed check, Sendbird used SparkLabs Demo Day to meet 30+ global investors, directly leading to its breakout Series A (Crunchbase).
Red Flags That Make Bernard Moon Ghost Your Round
Bernard Moon is known for moving quickly—but that speed cuts both ways. If your startup triggers any of his red flags, the deal’s likely over before it begins. Fast process means he kills deals just as fast.
- 🚩 Solo founder building deep-tech.
- 🚩 No technical leadership in an AI startup.
- 🚩 Hand-wavy TAM slide—no numbers, no nod.
- 🚩 Six-month response times to diligence requests.
- 🚩 “We’ll focus on Korea later” for a product that hinges on cross-border scale.
- 🚩 Founders dismissing feedback or coachability cues.
- 🚩 Cap table chaos (>25% advisor equity).
Takeaway: Fix these red flags pre-intro or expect radio silence.
Final Thoughts: Bernard Moon as Your Bridge Co-Pilot
If your startup’s DNA screams global—a Seoul dev team, a San Francisco design lead, and customers on both sides of the Pacific—then Bernard Moon is more than a check; he’s your passport. His average 7–14-day decision cycle ⏱️ gives you momentum when most processes stall, and his SparkLabs network extends your runway across continents 🌏.
Remember the core: backable co-founders, technical depth, data-rich deck, and a vision bigger than one market. Nail those and you’ll find Moon not only saying “yes” but championing you to Sequoia, Y Combinator, and SoftBank.
So tighten your deck, craft that warm intro ✉️, and think beyond borders—the Bernard Moon playbook rewards founders who move fast and dream wide. 🚀
