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Investor Intros — 
Hot intros to investors are a great way to start a fundraise.
But, how do you get connected + optimize your first impression?
Suggestions and examples
Hot intros to investors are a great way to start a fundraise.
But, how do you get connected + optimize your first impression?
Suggestions and examples
Summary:
• Build your network
• Send forwardable email
• Backchannel helpful info
• Be brief / highlight top stats
• Build momentum with investor
• Reply quickly
• Repeat
Details:
• Build your network
• Send forwardable email
• Backchannel helpful info
• Be brief / highlight top stats
• Build momentum with investor
• Reply quickly
• Repeat
Details:
Build relationships before you make an ask.
It’s hard to get a hot intro from someone that’s meeting you for the first time.
Build your network by being helpful before you need help.
It’s hard to get a hot intro from someone that’s meeting you for the first time.
Build your network by being helpful before you need help.
I’m a proponent of accelerators for first-time founders.
@mucker is where I made my founder friends.
@beondeck has compelling programs too (haven’t tried).
@mucker is where I made my founder friends.
@beondeck has compelling programs too (haven’t tried).
Make it easy for the introducer.
Send a forwardable email with a 3 bullet blurb:
• About - What biz does
• Team - Why founders could win
• Status - Where you are with $
Example:
Send a forwardable email with a 3 bullet blurb:
• About - What biz does
• Team - Why founders could win
• Status - Where you are with $
Example:
Note: I’m using @garrytan as an example because as his YouTube channel is blowing up, so are the requests I’m getting for intros.
Garry may have different suggestions.
Garry may have different suggestions.
Respect investors’ time.
Keep emails short.
Good investors get a lot of pitches — they scan quickly to see if you’re worth a meeting.
Just like dating, you want to build momentum with each interaction.
Keep emails short.
Good investors get a lot of pitches — they scan quickly to see if you’re worth a meeting.
Just like dating, you want to build momentum with each interaction.
Share your very best stats up top.
Numbers are better than words.
Hyperlink to your company website and LinkedIn profile.
Numbers are better than words.
Hyperlink to your company website and LinkedIn profile.
Controversial: don’t send deck in an intro email.
Ok to send in next email if investor opts in to intro and requests it.
Best: do a deck walk through in meeting to control the story.
You don’t share your tax returns on the first date, right?
Ok to send in next email if investor opts in to intro and requests it.
Best: do a deck walk through in meeting to control the story.
You don’t share your tax returns on the first date, right?
Backchannel any additional info that demonstrates momentum / worthiness of a meeting.
Example:
Example:
Reply quickly if/when introducer introduces you.
No need to be coy. You’re already confident that Garry would be a great fit for your biz.
A quick reply signals that you’re moving quickly.
No need to be coy. You’re already confident that Garry would be a great fit for your biz.
A quick reply signals that you’re moving quickly.
Example:
Jane, thanks so much for the intro! (Bcc)
Hey Garry, I’m really excited to connect and tell you more about what Knowable is building.
Do any of the following times work to walk you through our deck?
[3 options with investor time zone]
- Warren
Jane, thanks so much for the intro! (Bcc)
Hey Garry, I’m really excited to connect and tell you more about what Knowable is building.
Do any of the following times work to walk you through our deck?
[3 options with investor time zone]
- Warren
Summary:
• Build your network
• Send forwardable email
• Backchannel helpful info
• Be concise / highlight top stats
• Build momentum with investor
• Reply quickly
• Repeat
• Build your network
• Send forwardable email
• Backchannel helpful info
• Be concise / highlight top stats
• Build momentum with investor
• Reply quickly
• Repeat
The very best thing for fundraising is great #’s and a clear vision for building a scalable business.
But how you start the relationship with investors is important too.
But how you start the relationship with investors is important too.
Fundraising is a confusing process, esp. for new founders.
I hope these suggestions help. They’re subjective, so, you do you.
Also, go follow @garrytan — he’s launching something exciting on @knowablefyi soon!
I hope these suggestions help. They’re subjective, so, you do you.
Also, go follow @garrytan — he’s launching something exciting on @knowablefyi soon!
Top of thread here: https://twitter.com/wwshaef/status/1385342793233563653
