vclist

name	vclist
description	Build a prioritized VC target list from the active startup profile. Usage: /vclist. Reads STARTUP_PROFILE.md, researches the VC landscape, and produces a tiered list of 15–20 funds ranked by fit with rationale and suggested contact angle. Saves to vclist.md.
license	MIT
compatibility	Requires Claude Code with WebSearch and WebFetch. Internet connection required.
allowed-tools	WebSearch WebFetch Read Write
metadata	{"author":"3Flux","version":"1.0","workflow-step":"2 — run after /vcraise to research the landscape"}

/vclist — VC Target List Builder

Research the VC landscape and produce a ranked fundraising pipeline of 15–20 funds tiered by fit with the active startup profile.

Invocation

/vclist

No argument needed — reads STARTUP_PROFILE.md from the current working directory.

Execution Steps

Step 1 — Load Startup Context

Read STARTUP_PROFILE.md. Extract and hold in context:

• Sector and category (deep tech, energy, AI, infrastructure, etc.)
• Stage (pre-seed / seed / Series A) and funding ask size
• Business model (SaaS, value-based, marketplace, etc.)
• Geography (US, specific state, remote)
• Traction signals (revenue, government partnerships, design partners, DOE/grants)
• Team credentials (ex-Google, ex-government, domain PhDs, regulatory access)
• Referral network (any named advisors, investors, or warm contacts in the profile)

If STARTUP_PROFILE.md does not exist, stop and tell the user to create it first.

Step 2 — Research the VC Landscape

Use WebSearch (and WebFetch on fund websites) to identify funds that match. Run searches across multiple angles:

1. Funds by sector thesis: VC fund "energy grid" OR "power infrastructure" OR "deep tech" seed 2024 2025
2. Funds by stage: pre-seed seed fund "climate tech" OR "AI infrastructure" check size 2025
3. Funds with comparable portfolio: VC invested "digital twin" OR "grid software" OR "interconnection" startup
4. Funds aligned to team background: VC fund "DOE" OR "government" OR "defense" deep tech founders
5. Funds with national interest / American Dynamism thesis: VC "national interest" OR "American Dynamism" energy manufacturing

For each promising fund found, quickly verify:

• Stage and check size match
• Recent investment activity (last 18 months)
• No obvious portfolio conflict
• Named partner with relevant focus

Step 3 — Score and Tier Each Fund

Rank funds across five dimensions:

1. Thesis alignment — does their mandate explicitly match the startup's sector?
2. Stage fit — are they writing checks at this stage right now?
3. Portfolio comps — have they backed comparable companies?
4. Warm path — is there a referral or mutual connection available?
5. Check size match — does their typical check match the raise amount?

Step 4 — Produce vclist.md

Write the output to vclist.md in the current working directory using this structure:

---

# VC Target List: [Startup Name]
_Generated: [date] | Stage: [stage] | Ask: $[amount]_

---

## Tier 1 — Pursue Now
*Strong thesis fit + correct stage. Reach out within 2 weeks.*

### [Fund Name]
- **Why**: [2–3 bullets — specific thesis match, portfolio comp, or team alignment]
- **Target partner**: [Name] — [one-line on why them]
- **Contact angle**: [cold email / warm intro via [Name] / conference / LinkedIn]
- **Run /vcmatch first**: Yes / Already done (link if exists)

[Repeat for 5–7 funds]

---

## Tier 2 — Warm Up First
*Good fit but missing a proof point or warm intro. Plant the flag now; pitch after [milestone].*

### [Fund Name]
- **Why**: [2–3 bullets]
- **Target partner**: [Name]
- **Contact angle**: [angle]
- **What to wait for**: [specific milestone before pitching]

[Repeat for 5–7 funds]

---

## Tier 3 — Monitor
*Interesting but stage mismatch, thesis gap, or unclear path. Revisit in [timeframe].*

### [Fund Name]
- **Why eventually**: [1–2 bullets]
- **Blocker**: [what would need to change]
- **Revisit when**: [milestone or date]

[Repeat for 3–5 funds]

---

## Pipeline Summary
- Total funds identified: [N]
- Tier 1 (pursue now): [N]
- Tier 2 (warm up): [N]
- Tier 3 (monitor): [N]
- Suggested first outreach order: [Fund 1] → [Fund 2] → [Fund 3]
- Warm intro paths available: [list names and who connects them]

---

After Producing vclist.md — Poser Pre-Filter

Once the list is written, tell the user to run /vcposer <fund name> on every Tier 1 fund before committing to a full /vcmatch analysis:

"Before running /vcmatch on any of these funds, run /vcposer <fund name> to verify the fund is actively deploying capital. Funds scoring below 40 should be dropped from the pipeline. Funds scoring 40–59 should be treated as Tier 2 (warm intro required) regardless of their thesis fit. Only proceed to /vcmatch for funds scoring 60 or above."

---

Output Rules

• Every fund must include a named partner to target — not just the firm
• Cite the source of thesis/portfolio information inline (e.g., "per their 2024 climate thesis post")
• Do not include funds with obvious stage mismatches (e.g., growth-only funds for a pre-seed raise) unless there is a specific strategic reason noted
• Warm intro paths take priority in the suggested outreach order — always surface them
• Flag if any Tier 1 fund has a /vcmatch report already saved in the current directory