ITR #007: How to Get in Front of VCs & Angels

Hello from sunny Lisbon, Portugal

I’m writing this from my new desk in Lisbon, one of the southernmost points in Western Europe. Throughout 2025 I’ll be spending a few months at a time in different cities in the US & Europe, and I’m excited to continue serving founders on both sides of the Atlantic. So far, Lisbon has brough much improved weather and I’m amazed at how many VCs call this place (or nearby Cascais) home. If you’re in town, or know someone I should meet nearby, give me a holler!

Partnerships with accelerators & incubators + media appearances!

In 2025, I’m making a big push to work more with accelerators & incubators to host workshops and guide their startups on fundraising. I’m excited about some of the partnerships I’ve got lined up (including with my alma mater, Harvard Business School) - and am always on the lookout for new organizations to partner with.

The past few weeks I’ve also released some exciting content with superstars in the startup space, which you can check out here:

• Core Fundraising Tips - This was a great opportunity to share my end-to-end tips on fundraising. I appeared on Episode 295 of the Podcast “How I Raised It” with Nathan Beckord, CEO/Founder of Foundersuite/Founderstack - listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, SoundCloud, or with video on YouTube.

• Fundraising x GTM Advice - Many startups fundraise without having figured out GTM, and that’s a problem! I hosted an hour-long session on this subject with Rob Snyder, a Startup GTM expert who has achieved $1M in ARR multiple times, and now advises startups on that path. Check out the recording/slides/template here.

• Fundraising x SAFEs Deep Dive - SAFEs have gotten much more complicated recently, with VCs often demanding 8 page side letters. I hosted a 60min session on this topic with Gary Schall, Partner at WilmerHale and Co-Chair of their Startups & VC Practice. You can find the recording/slides here.

…now on to today’s essay around getting in front of VCs.

How to Get in Front of VCs & Angels

One of the biggest challenges early-stage founders face is getting in front of the right venture capitalists and angels. After all, you can have the best startup in the world, but if you can’t get a meeting, none of that matters. The good news? You have two primary pathways to make it happen: warm introductions and cold outreach. Let’s break down the best strategies for both so you can maximize your chances of securing that crucial investor meeting.

The Power of Warm Introductions

Warm introductions are the gold standard. A recommendation from a trusted source immediately elevates your credibility, making investors more likely to take a meeting. But not all introductions carry the same weight. Here’s the hierarchy of the best sources to tap into:

1. Other Founders (Especially Portfolio Founders)

VCs love getting introductions from other founders, particularly those already in their portfolio. Founders understand the grind of building a startup and generally don’t make introductions lightly. If a portfolio founder introduces you, it signals to the VC that you’re worth their time.

Actionable Tip: If you don’t already have a network of founder friends, start building one now. Reach out to other founders in your space, attend startup events, and join founder communities. A strong founder network isn’t just helpful for fundraising—it’s invaluable for your entire startup journey.

2. Other Investors

The second-best way to get an introduction is through another investor. VCs often rely on other investors to stay in the loop on promising startups. If you have angels, VCs, or other investors in your network, see if they’re willing to make an introduction to the investors you’re interested in.

Actionable Tip: If an investor passes on your round because it’s not a good fit with their criteria, but they still believe in your business, they may still be willing to introduce you to someone who’s a better fit.

3. Other Professional Connections

Beyond founders and investors, introductions from trusted colleagues, mentors, professors, or advisors can also help. These introductions carry less weight than those from founders or investors but can still be useful if they come from someone with strong credibility.

Actionable Tip: Think creatively about your network. If you went to a top school, had a notable professor, or worked at a high-profile company, leverage those connections where possible.

What If You Don’t Have a Warm Introduction?

If you’re in a time crunch and need to get in front of VCs quickly, cold outreach may be your best option. While warm intros are preferable, plenty of founders have successfully raised capital through well-crafted cold emails. The key is to make your outreach concise, compelling, and highly relevant.

Your email should also be hyper-personalized. Investors receive hundreds of cold emails, so generic outreach won’t cut it. Reference their past investments, a blog post they wrote, or an insight from a talk they gave. Show that you’ve done your homework and that you’re reaching out to them specifically for a reason.

Here’s what makes a great cold email:

1. A strong subject line – Keep it short and intriguing.

2. Who you are – One sentence introducing yourself and your company.

3. What you do – A short and clear value proposition. Why is your startup exciting?

4. Why you’re reaching out – Show you’ve done your research. Mention a specific reason why you believe they’d be a great investor.

5. Call to action – End with a simple, direct ask (e.g., “Would you be open to a quick call next week?”).

Final Thoughts

Getting in front of VCs isn’t magic—it’s a process. If you can, aim for warm introductions through founders, investors, or trusted connections. If that’s not possible, start building relationships with founders who can open doors for you. And if you’re in a crunch, don’t be afraid of cold outreach—just do it right.

Whatever path you choose, be intentional, be prepared, and keep moving forward. You got this, founders!

👉 Need help getting in front of VCs or Angels? I would love to help.

Every other week, I’ll be reaching out to my network to get their take on important questions on every aspect of fundraising. Got a question you’d like me to ask? Let me know.

Q: How do you balance fundraising with running your business?

Thanks for stepping Into the Ring 🙏

Thank you for reading today, and for your support. If there’s anything that resonated with you, simply hit reply and let me know.

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👉 I’ve helped 30+ founders raise over $130M. Curious to work with me? You can learn more about what that looks like on my website.

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