About GitDealFlow
GitDealFlow is a deal-flow signal tool for investors (not a fund) that reads startups' public GitHub engineering activity to flag the ones accelerating 21–47 days before the round. The platform tracks 356 startup GitHub organizations across 15 sectors, computing six engineering velocity variables weekly. All data is publicly accessible via a free API, CSV/JSON downloads, an MCP server, and an A2A endpoint. The underlying research is published as an SSRN preprint (abstract 6606558).
Key Facts
356Startups tracked
15Sectors covered
6Velocity variables
2.5+Years of history
21–47Day lead time
100%Free public API
Data refreshed every Monday 09:00 UTC. Weekly digest sent every Sunday 14:00 UTC.
Data Methodology
The full methodology is published at signals.gitdealflow.com/methodology. In brief:
- Startup GitHub organizations are identified from Crunchbase, Wellfound, and PitchBook fundraise data
- Six metrics are computed weekly from public commit logs, contributor activity, and repository growth
- A composite Engineering Momentum Score (0–100) combines all signals using a proprietary weighting
- Breakout acceleration is defined as top 5% week-over-week momentum gain
- Historical backtesting shows a 21–47 day lead time between acceleration detection and public fundraise or press announcements
- The research methodology is documented and peer-reviewed via SSRN preprint
Expert Commentary
Quotes about engineering velocity signals and the GitDealFlow approach:
"Engineering activity on GitHub is a leading indicator of startup momentum that most investors miss. GitDealFlow systematically captures this signal and makes it accessible to everyone — not just firms with PhD data science teams."
— The Data Nerd, Creator of GitDealFlow
"The 21-to-47 day lead time between acceleration detection and public announcements is exactly the kind of asymmetric information that early-stage investors need. It turns public data into a private-market advantage."
— Independent VC Analyst, Q2 2026
"We started using GitDealFlow's API to cross-reference our fund sourcing pipeline. The engineering acceleration signal caught two companies we were about to overlook — both raised within 30 days."
— Micro VC Fund Partner (anonymous, used with permission)
Media Coverage
Have you covered GitDealFlow in a story, newsletter, or research report? We'd love to hear about it. Let us know!
Contact
Citation
If referencing GitDealFlow or the dataset in your work, please cite the SSRN preprint:
@techreport{gdf2026,
author = {The Data Nerd},
title = {VC Deal Flow Signal: Engineering Acceleration as a Venture Capital Signal},
institution = {SSRN},
year = {2026},
number = {6606558},
doi = {10.2139/ssrn.6606558},
url = {https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=6606558},
note = {Dataset at https://signals.gitdealflow.com}
}
Brand Assets
Brand Name
Use GitDealFlow (one word, camel case, no space) when referring to the product. The full name VC Deal Flow Signal is the dataset and research project name. Avoid "Git Deal Flow" or "GitDeal Flow."
Brand Colors
Background
#0b1120
Surface
#0f172a
Brand Blue
#60a5fa
Accent Purple
#a78bfa
Signal Green
#34d399
Text Primary
#e8eaed
Logo Usage Guidelines
- Always use the full brand name "GitDealFlow" in text where a logo is not available
- The logotype uses the gradient #60a5fa to #a78bfa on dark backgrounds
- Maintain clear space around the logo equal to the height of the "G" character
- Do not modify, rotate, or apply effects to the logo
- Do not place the logo on busy or low-contrast backgrounds
- For digital use, the OG image at
signals.gitdealflow.com/opengraph-image is the primary brand asset
Frequently Asked Questions for Journalists
What makes GitDealFlow different from Crunchbase or PitchBook?
GitDealFlow uses engineering activity — commits, contributors, and repos — as a leading indicator of startup momentum, rather than relying on self-reported company data or announced fundraises. The signal is forward-looking, not historical.
How accurate is the acceleration signal?
Historical backtesting shows acceleration detected 21–47 days before public fundraise announcements. The methodology is published as an SSRN preprint with full transparency on false positive rates and signal thresholds.
Is the data free for journalists to use?
Yes. The full dataset is available under CC BY 4.0. Journalists can download CSV/JSON exports or use the API — no registration required. Attribution to GitDealFlow and a link to the SSRN preprint is appreciated.
Can I get early access to data for a story?
Who runs GitDealFlow?
GitDealFlow is operated by an independent, pseudonymous team. The creator goes by "The Data Nerd" for public-facing work. Contact
signals@gitdealflow.com for direct inquiries.
Are there case studies or real-world examples?
Yes. The methodology page includes case studies of startups whose acceleration was detected before fundraise announcements. Visit
signals.gitdealflow.com/methodology for details.