What's the best material for the pre-pitch introduction to a VC?
Reader Comments
| April 8, 2008 |  View for printing |
The following is from Tech Confidential partner Ask The VC, where Brad Feld and Jason Mendelson of Mobius Venture Capital answer questions related to venture capital investment and startups:
Q: What do you expect to see from an entrepreneur whom you don't know or have a casual introduction to before scheduling time to listen to a pitch? A one-pager? A complete Powerpoint? A classic business plan or a casual one?
Answer: http://www.techconfidential.com/vc-r ... st-mate.php
Reader Comments:
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As someone who has successfully "cold called" many VC and won meetings, I can attest that the strongest intro is from someone they know or a recognized name or attorney at a large firm. Many scrapping entrepreneurs may not have the luxury of the "intro" and I have found success in structuring an email as follows. ---- KEEP IT SHORT!!! ---- I found you via [website, article, etc]. My company [describe product or service. For example, we [describe what your product or service offers] by helping [describe your target segment or customer]. We have completed our [product status] and have customer commitments from [or some proof people will buy; sales traction is best]. We have also established [show you have built the company and not just an idea; you have billing, accounting, website, etc.]. I would like to meet with your firm at your earliest convenience to provide more information about what we are doing and to seek investment. [must ask for action and explain why are you writing] You can learn more about our company by visiting www.[yourwebsite].com and I can be reached via email or [contact details]. Thanks in advance, [Your name, title in signature block below w/ contact details] ---- ---- The above email format has worked successfully with some of the largest VC in the world and I'm sure they would appreciate a concise format that gives them the initial information they look for. Play around with it and good luck! --Mike
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