Welcome to the latest edition of “Into the Ring” — my biweekly newsletter on how to successfully plan & execute on your startup fundraise. As a reminder, I’m Jorian Hoover and I’m a Startup Fundraising Sparring Partner. I guide Pre-Seed thru Series A founders through their fundraising processes (helping them to raise over $160M)—you can check out how to work with me here. And a warm welcome to the new subscribers for this edition! If you were forwarded this newsletter, you can subscribe here.

Today’s newsletter topic is all about the importance of intros from fellow founders when it comes to raising from VCs.

The Warmest VC Intros Come From Founders

A B2B SaaS founder raises a $6M round. Four term sheets. Four different investors. All four of them came through warm intros from other founders.

That’s no accident.

Too often, founders over-emphasize trying to network with VCs directly - when their best unlock might be another founder who’s just a few steps ahead of them.

Because in venture, an intro from a founder carries more weight than almost anything else. Especially if that founder is in the VC’s portfolio.

Why Founder Intros Matter

Let’s start with the obvious: VCs are inundated with pitches. Even with the best subject line, a forwardable intro or cold email risks being overlooked.

But a warm intro from a founder? That cuts through the noise. Here’s why it matters:

1. Founder intros are trusted social proof

VCs know founders don’t refer lightly. A warm founder intro signals that someone who’s raised before has vetted you and believes you’re worth the investor’s time. That trust compounds fast.

2. They outperform every other intro path

Compared to cold emails or intros from advisors, scouts, or lawyers, founder intros rise to the top. They create immediate relevance, stronger context, and better reply rates.

How to Earn Those Intros

So, how do you actually get these intros? You don’t need to have gone to Stanford or worked at Stripe. But you do need to build a network of founders who know you, like you, and are willing to back you.

Here’s how:

1. Build your founder network early

Don’t wait until you’re raising to start meeting other founders. Join communities, go to events, and have those 15–30 minute coffee chats. The best time to plant the seed is well before you need to fundraise.

2. Be helpful and reciprocal

Founders want to help other founders. Offer feedback, make intros of your own, or simply ask good questions. The more you show up as someone who gives, the more likely people are to want to help when you ask.

3. Show that you’re “fundraise-ready”

When you do ask for an intro, make it easy. Come prepared with traction, a sharp pitch, even your investor list. Founders are far more likely to introduce you when they know you’ve done your homework and won’t waste the investor’s time.

Final Thought

Your founder network is one of the highest-leverage assets you can build - not just for fundraising, but for advice, perspective, and long-term support.

But when it comes to your fundraise, intros via founders might be the difference between luke-warm reception from VCs and warm introductions that lead directly to term sheets.

So if you're thinking about a fundraise in the next 6–12 months, start now. Get to know other founders. Be helpful. Stay top of mind.

Because your next investor might just come from a fellow founder who believes in you.

👉Want a sparring partner to help you navigate fundraising strategy? I would love to help.

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.

📩 If you were forwarded this newsletter, you can subscribe here.

👉 I’ve helped 40+ founders raise over $160M. Curious to work with me? You can learn more about what that looks like on my website.

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