5min
Module 1: The Funding Landscape
Module 2: The Pre-Seed and Seed Stage
Module 3: The Series A Stage
Module 4: Later Stage Funding (Series B and Beyond)
Module 5: The Fundraising Process
13/16 Lessons
Content
Assignment
Before you send a single email, you must build a targeted list of investors. A shotgun approach, where you blast your pitch deck to hundreds of people, is a recipe for failure. A targeted approach, where you identify a few dozen investors who are a perfect fit, is the key to success.
Step 1: Define Your Investor Profile
Not every investor is right for your company. To narrow your search, you must first define what you are looking for.
Stage: Does the investor typically invest in pre-seed, seed, or later stages?
Industry: Do they specialize in your industry (e.g., FinTech, SaaS, BioTech)?
Geography: Do they invest in companies in your region or country?
An investor who is a great fit for a Series B SaaS company will be a terrible fit for a pre-seed BioTech startup.
Step 2: Find the Right Investors
Once you have your profile, you can start your search. Use these methods to find potential investors:
Database Tools:
Use platforms like Crunchbase or AngelList to filter investors by stage, industry, and location.
Portfolio Research:
Look at the websites of your competitors or companies you admire. See who invested in them. This is often the best indicator of who is active in your space.
LinkedIn:
Use LinkedIn to find specific partners at VC firms and check their recent activity to see what they are interested in.
Step 3: Organize Your List
A good target list isn't just a list; it's a living document that you use to manage your outreach. Create a simple spreadsheet with columns for:
Investor Name
Firm
Investment Stage/Focus
Contact Information
Notes: Why they are a good fit.
Status: (e.g., Researching, Emailed, Meeting Scheduled)