Comment pouvez-vous utiliser votre réseau existant pour entrer en contact avec des sociétés de capital-risque ?

Its Easy : 1. Keep your eyes open on ongoing trends of investment. 2. Read top VC articles and ping on their LinkedIn post . 3. Do offline/ Online Networking as much as possible. 4. Recommend good startups to top VCs.

One needs to understand that VCs are in the business of meeting founders, fellow VCs and IBs for hunting good deals. The best way to reach out is to look for a portfolio founder who can refer or a known VC who can put a word for you. The last one is to hire an IB since they would know most VCs and also at times not just connect founders to VCs but also patch inter VC connections.

One easy and helpful thing you can do is download your LinkedIn data and feed it to ChatGPT. If you navigate to Me -> Settings & Privacy -> Data Privacy, you will receive a copy of your data sent to your email. Download the file and upload it to ChatGPT (model 4) with the prompt "Identify and place all of my contacts who work at venture capital firms into a CSV file" to unlock access to your relevant network in minutes.

The best way to reach out VCs is to reach their closest friend who is not in the limelight. Easy to reach and deliver your words to them.

You can keep yourself updated on venture capital firms and industry experts is by connecting with them on LinkedIn, Twitter, and specialised groups and forums. By actively engaging with their content, exchanging valuable insights, and interacting with their posts, you can enhance your visibility and build relationships. On the other hand compile a list of conferences, seminars, and networking events focused on venture capital and startups. You can identify individuals who have connections in the venture capital industry by participating in these events and engaging in conversations with attendees and speakers.

Identify VC firms sector focus, investment stage preferences, geographic location, and fund size that align with your industry, stage of growth, and investment ask. You can checkout website of potential VC firms investment philosophy, portfolio companies, investment team, and past successes. Pay attention to any specific investment themes or criteria outlined by the firm which may or may not match with your industry. It is utmost important to analyse the portfolio companies of target VC firms to understand their investment preferences and areas of expertise and assess whether your startup aligns with the types of companies they typically invest in.

Identify VC firms that would be a good fit based on your startup's stage, industry, business model etc. Thoroughly research these firms - their portfolio, investment thesis, key partners etc. This will allow you to tailor your pitch.

The second crucial step in connecting with VC firms is thorough research to comprehend their unique investment landscape. Delve into their investment thesis, scrutinize their portfolio, and understand their preferences in terms of stage, sector, and geography. Familiarize yourself with the key decision-makers – their backgrounds, interests, and criteria for evaluating startups. Utilize a plethora of resources like websites, blogs, and social media, and don’t hesitate to tap into your network for firsthand insights. This deep understanding not only tailors your approach but also signals your dedication and alignment with the VC firm's vision, setting the stage for a meaningful connection. Spread Shark Love #divineintervention #gabenfreude

From my experience, understanding a VC firm's investment thesis, portfolio companies, and key decision-makers allows you to tailor your approach. When you identify a connection who has a relationship with the firm, you can craft your introduction or request for an introduction more compellingly. Highlighting specific reasons why a partnership with the VC could be mutually beneficial, based on your research, makes your outreach much more impactful. This strategy ensures that when you leverage your network for introductions, you’re doing so with precision and relevance.

Every VC has their own investment strategy. Study it, check their portfolio (for similarities) and respect the identifyed strategy and look at the partners backgrounds.

Craft your pitch by beginning with a captivating narrative that outlines the problem your startup addresses, the market opportunity, and why your team is poised for success. Clearly articulate the problem, offering context. Introduce your solution, detailing how it resolves the identified problem, and emphasize its key features, benefits, and unique selling points. Highlight any traction your startup has attained, such as customer growth or revenue milestones, using data and metrics to quantify progress. Present market research to validate the size and growth potential of your target market, discussing trends, customer segments, and competitive landscape. Explain revenue generation strategy, including pricing, customer acquisition channels

Create a short, customized pitch highlighting your startup's traction, market potential and how you would benefit from the VC firm's expertise. Emphasize the introduction source and any common connections.

The art of crafting a pitch to VC firms is akin to sculpting a masterpiece, where every detail is tailored to resonate with the specific firm and individual. Illustrate how your startup harmoniously aligns with their investment philosophy, showcasing your solution to a pressing problem, robust traction, and unique market positioning. Articulate your visionary goals and milestones, while highlighting the unparalleled capabilities of your team. Embodying the essence of your venture, your pitch should exude the confidence, innovation, and strategic foresight that captivates and convinces the discerning eyes of venture capitalists. Spread Shark Love #divineintervention #gabenfreude

Connecting VCs with the help of an existing network could be the easiest way, but the harder task is crafting an interesting and valuable pitch for VCs. While you may secure time from a VC based on a mutual connection or reference, what truly captures a VC's interest in your idea/venture is your pitch. Therefore, having a well-curated pitch with all the necessary information, such as the problem statement, market size, competition, traction, team, and expectations, can work magic for an entrepreneur.

The right warm intros can be very powerful, but mobilizing your connectors is often an underrated challenge. Sometimes people genuinely want to help you, but you'll rarely find someone who would go above and beyond to do that. A simple "if you ever think of an investor I should talk to, please let me know" almost never leads to a success story. Help people help you, and here are some steps you can take: Try to get on a call with your key connectors. Come with a list of people they might be able to help you with. Check who they are comfortable enough to make a warm intro for you. Then follow up with a forwardable email with your intro and why you think they should connect with you so that all they need to do is hit the Forward button.

Craft a concise, personalized email introducing your startup, emphasizing its mission, traction, and alignment with the VC's investment thesis. If you share mutual connections, request an introduction for added credibility. Follow up politely if you don't receive a response, reiterating your startup's value proposition. Offer valuable insights or resources relevant to the VC's interests. Be persistent but respectful, avoiding excessive pressure. Propose a meeting once initial interest is established, offering flexible scheduling options. After the meeting, send a thank-you email, reaffirming key points and keeping communication channels open for further dialogue

Leverage your connections to get warm introductions to the VC firms. Send a concise email pitch, then follow up diligently via email and phone. Offer to meet in person if possible.

Embarking on the crucial fourth step of your VC engagement, the power lies in masterful outreach and strategic follow-up. A warm introduction from your network serves as a catalyst, significantly enhancing your chances of eliciting a response. Craft an email that is both succinct and striking, highlighting your compelling pitch and network linkage, supplemented with an executive summary or a crisp pitch deck. Embrace the art of polite persistence in your follow-ups, keeping your network abreast of developments, a tactic that exemplifies your determination and respect for the VC firm's process, potentially leading to lucrative collaborations. Spread Shark Love #divineintervention #gabenfreude

Out of completed investments, 1/3 has arrived from portfolio entrepreneurs, 1/3 from co-investors intro’s and only 1/3 from ”cold” contacts. So leverage your network.

Venturing beyond the conventional boundaries, this space is a crucible for the extraordinary, where untold stories and insights, not confined by previous sections, take center stage. Here, we delve into the uncharted, exploring audacious examples and narratives that redefine norms. What revelations await in this treasure trove of knowledge? This is your canvas to paint with the vibrant hues of innovation and experience, crafting a mosaic that resonates with the discerning minds of billionaires. Spread Shark Love #divineintervention #gabenfreude

I leverage my immediate network of investors, founders and ecosystem leaders to initiate introductions to VCs I'd like warm introductions to. One way to ensure that my network personally invests themselves into connecting me to other VCs is to create value for them, from supporting their portfolio in any way I can, to helping them with due diligence among others things.

Most top VCs in the industry today receive about 5000-10000 pitches a year. Putting this in perspective, they may only end up funding 3-4 startups a month, i.e. anywhere between 30-50 startups get funding from a VC of a decent size. So, it is important to first get notice and hence a warm introduction to a VC partner/analyst can open doors for more meaningful conversations. Look at founders who have already raised money from this VC as VCs always appreciate introductions through current portfolio.

Research the track record of VC firms including the backgrounds and expertise of individual partners, their past investments, exits, and returns. Connect with partners who specialise in your industry or have relevant experience that could add value to your startup. Stay tuned on news, press releases, and announcements related to target VC firms. Also, track for recent investments, partnerships, or fund launches that may indicate their current focus areas and investment priorities.