Most founders use Crunchbase like a digital phonebook. They waste hours scrolling through dead leads and pitching empty inboxes. These five specific filter combinations isolate companies with actual budget and intent, effectively automating part of your Crunchbase search strategy. Focus on companies that can buy, not just companies that make headlines.

A Crunchbase filter preset is a pre-defined set of boolean search parameters designed to isolate "ready-to-buy" prospects from the noise of the general database.

• Benchmark: Aim for 50–200 results per search. Anything more is too broad to personalize.
• Rule: Always use the "Exclude" function for "Closed" or "Acquired" companies to avoid pitching ghosts.
• Warning: The "Software" industry tag contains 30–40% false positives (agencies masquerading as SaaS) [Source: Clearbit Data Analysis 2025].

Success requires precision. Do not just copy the industry. Copy the logic. Open Crunchbase Pro, navigate to "Advanced Search," and select "Companies." input the parameters below into the corresponding fields on the left sidebar. Save each search as a dynamic list to receive alerts when new companies match your criteria.

1. The "Fresh Series A" (Primary Target)
Use this to find SaaS companies that just hit product-market fit and have $5M–$15M in the bank. They are under pressure to grow immediately.

• Industry Group: Software OR SaaS OR Enterprise Software
• Investment Stage: Early Stage Venture OR Series A
• Last Funding Date: < 90 days ago
• Total Funding Amount: $5M to $20M
• Operating Status: Active
• Headquarters Location: United States OR United Kingdom OR Canada

2. The "Silent Scaler" (Bootstrapped Growth)
These companies aren't in the news for raising millions, but they are hiring aggressively. They likely have revenue and are careful spenders but better long-term customers.

• Industry: SaaS
• Funding Status: Private Equity OR Seed (exclude Series A/B/C)
• Estimated Revenue: $1M to $10M
• Number of Employees: 11 to 50
• Employee Growth (6 months): > 20%
• Actively Hiring: Yes

3. The "Tech Stack" Poach (Competitor Targeting)
This requires the "Technographics" filter. Use this to find companies using a competitor you displace or a complementary tool you integrate with. It leverages the Crunchbase Signal Rank logic by focusing on tech adoption.

• Industry Group: Internet Services OR Software
• technologies_used: [Insert Competitor Name] OR [Insert Partner Name]
• Last Funding Date: < 1 year ago
• Number of Employees: 51 to 200

4. The "Leadership Transition" (New Decision Maker)
New VPs and C-levels want to make a mark in their first 90 days. They rip out old software and buy new tools.

• Industry: SaaS OR FinTech OR E-Commerce
• Job Moves: Executive OR VP OR Director
• Job Moves Date: < 60 days ago
• Company Total Funding: > $1M
• Operating Status: Active

5. The "E-Commerce Enabler"
DTC brands have high churn, but the tech companies serving them are booming. This filter targets the B2B side of e-commerce.

• Industry: E-Commerce Platforms OR Supply Chain Management OR Logistics
• Investment Stage: Seed OR Series A
• Last Funding Date: < 180 days ago
• Headquarters Location: North America
• Actively Hiring: Sales OR Marketing

Do not expect 100% accuracy. Data decays. Here is the math you should expect when running these filters.

Sample Math: The Funnel Reality

• Input: You extract 1,000 leads using the "Fresh Series A" filter.
• Clean Up: 30% are agencies or false positives. You remove them. Remaining: 700.
• Verification: 10% have invalid emails. Remaining: 630 valid contacts.
• Outreach: You send 630 highly personalized emails.
• Performance: 50% Open Rate (315 reads). 4% Reply Rate.
• Result: 12–13 qualified conversations.

If you are getting fewer than 10 conversations from 1,000 raw leads, check your subject lines or your offer. It is rarely the list at that point.