Who provides the capital
An angel may invest personal capital, while a venture fund invests through its fund structure and mandate. A corporate investor may combine an investment interest with strategic priorities. These descriptions do not tell a founder whether a particular investor is currently active, has available capital or invests at the relevant stage; those points require current evidence.
Programmes are not all investors
An accelerator may provide advice, introductions, services or investment, depending on its programme. A lender expects repayment under a loan agreement. A grant provider applies its own eligibility and reporting rules. Ask who is the counterparty, what is being provided, what it costs and whether shares or control rights are involved.
Verify the terms rather than the label
Check the proposed instrument, amount, decision process, conflicts of interest and documented portfolio. An introduction is not a commitment. YC's fundraising guide explains the early-stage funding process; its examples do not establish a universal rule for every market or company.