What do you do if you want to connect with venture capitalists in diverse regions?

To effectively connect with venture capitalists in Brazil, participating in ABVCAP events is highly recommended. These events, such as the Congress or the Brazilian Venture Capital Conference, gather the entire VC and PE industry, providing a unique opportunity to network with professionals and investors deeply embedded in the Brazilian market. Attending these conferences can significantly enhance your ability to align with investors who share your startup's vision and goals.

Para se conectar eficazmente com capitalistas de risco no Brasil, é altamente recomendável participar dos eventos da ABVCAP. Esses eventos, como o Congresso ou a Conferência Brasileira de Venture Capital, reúnem toda a indústria de VC e PE, oferecendo uma oportunidade única para fazer networking com profissionais e investidores profundamente inseridos no mercado brasileiro. A participação nessas conferências pode aumentar significativamente sua capacidade de se alinhar com investidores que compartilham a visão e os objetivos de sua startup.

Starting with solid research is always beneficial, but an even more effective strategy is to identify key regional connectors—those who are like the 'mayors' of their startup ecosystems. Look for individuals who actively participate in planning and attending intimate local VC or startup events and who have a reputation for being in the know. Reach out to these pivotal contacts on LinkedIn, expressing your interest in connecting with the region and seeking insights or introductions. Building relationships with these key figures can naturally lead you into the wider VC network in that area, helping you integrate more seamlessly into the local community.

Start posting about your interests and thesis. Think of the content that you are posting as a lighthouse to attract others who care about the same business categories or stage of companies that match your investment thesis. Don't just rely on posting, but also don't be afraid to DM other industry experts.

Initiating contact with key regional connectors—those who act as the 'mayors' of their startup ecosystems—is where you want to start. Once you've established a connection, consider asking them to facilitate a visit to the region. A good local connector ("mayor") will often be willing to help arrange networking events, one-on-one meetings, and tours that maximize your visit and accelerate relationship building. This not only deepens your understanding of the local startup ecosystem but also demonstrates your commitment to forming meaningful relationships.

Connect with incubators and accelerators in your target regions. These organizations often have connections with regional VCs and can provide introductions or host networking events. Leverage your existing network on platforms like LinkedIn. See if you have connections who know VCs in your target regions and request introductions.

Utilize the investors and potential investors you have to request introductions to new investors, especially when expanding regions. Having an advocate or at least another party who can vouch for you builds a foundation for outreach and communication for you, but confidence that you’re a legitimate company to consider for the investor.

Venture capitalists spend their time on this process of raising funds, finding startups to invest in, negotiating deal terms, and helping the startups grow. You could divide the job into these six areas: Sourcing – Finding new startups to invest in and making the initial outreach.