| 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:
- Funds by sector thesis:
VC fund "energy grid" OR "power infrastructure" OR "deep tech" seed 2024 2025
- Funds by stage:
pre-seed seed fund "climate tech" OR "AI infrastructure" check size 2025
- Funds with comparable portfolio:
VC invested "digital twin" OR "grid software" OR "interconnection" startup
- Funds aligned to team background:
VC fund "DOE" OR "government" OR "defense" deep tech founders
- 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:
- Thesis alignment — does their mandate explicitly match the startup's sector?
- Stage fit — are they writing checks at this stage right now?
- Portfolio comps — have they backed comparable companies?
- Warm path — is there a referral or mutual connection available?
- 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
