Core collapse supernovae, the explosions of massive stars, play a central role in shaping the observable universe. However, identifying the progenitors
of these events (i.e. the stars which create the different types of observed explosions) is an outstanding problem in astrophysics. Without such an
identification, progress towards understanding the explosion physics behind these supernovae is hindered. Direct progenitor detections are limited to
few nearby cases, and this method has so far only robustly established the connection between one type of star and one type of explosion. Statistical
methods allow for constraints to be put on progenitor scenarios of several supernova types, with large samples illuminating certain aspects of the roles
of binarity, mass and metallicity. New surveys are finding supernovae at very early times, a mere hours to days after the explosion. Observations on
these timescales can probe the shock cooling emission, constraining the progenitor radius and the explosion physics. Together, these methods are
teaching us about the progenitors of most supernova types, without being limited to local events with pre-explosion coverage.
