How to get to a VC as a founder if you do not have a network connection:

(That some VCs do not take or seriously consider direct outreach is outrageous on several levels, and I& #39;m currently working on something here, but for now, emailing most VCs directly is not your best in)
1. Find their online life and become a part of it

This is a slow burn, ideally over months at least, in which you are making your name both familiar and associated with thoughtful takes. This is * very * much about quality and not about quantity.
I find the best way to separate yourself here is doing the work. Don& #39;t just spout off some clever nonsense, everyone does that. Dig up a hard-to-find resource relevant to the topic, or aggregate a bunch of providers and review them in reply to a post on an emerging space, etc.
Most folks seem to default to Twitter here, though I have found commenting on someone& #39;s blog, if one exists, is the best channel (old posts particularly, shows you went deep on their content).

If the take is thoughtful and researched, they& #39;ll notice. Do that 2 to 3x, you& #39;re in.
2. Develop a network connection to them thru someone easier to get to

IMO the best (and underutilized) hack here is getting to a CEO that the investor has backed.

First, you only have to get one CEO to agree to make an intro and a VC may have dozens of investments.
Second, (almost all) CEOs have dealt with trying to get to a VC who feels like a great fit but they have no connection to; which is to say, founders generally empathize with a fellow founder& #39;s fundraise.

Third, it& #39;s a perhaps the highest quality channel to come in through.
Fourth, founders generally are not overwhelmed by these types of requests (unless this post goes really viral ; )

Tactically, I strongly recommend asking for a 30 min mtg with the founder. My willingness to make an intro and how much I can vouch can change enormously in 30 mins.
Both of these tactics are labor intensive, so I recommend figuring out the best 20-30 LEAD investors (not firms, people) and stretching this work across the year before you raise.

Done well though, you& #39;ll have hacked this broken VC intro dynamic, until we can change it : )
You can follow @birsic.
Tip: mention @twtextapp on a Twitter thread with the keyword “unroll” to get a link to it.

Latest Threads Unrolled: