| name | investor-targeting |
| description | Use when a founder needs to decide which investors to approach and how to reach them. Triggers on "which VCs should I target", "build my investor list", "find the right investors", "warm intro path", "angels vs VCs", "who invests in my space", "investor research". Produces a ranked, researched target list with warm paths. |
Investor Targeting
A raise is a sales process, and a sales process with the wrong leads fails no
matter how good the pitch. Most founders spray a generic list and wonder why
conversion is low. This skill builds a tight, researched, warm-path-first list.
When to use this skill
Use it once [[fundraising-stage-selector]] fixes the stage and check size, and
before [[vc-pitch-email]] writes outreach. Feed the output into
[[investor-pipeline-crm]] to run the process.
Qualify on fit, not fame
Score each prospective investor on:
- Stage fit: do they lead/write checks at your stage and size? A Series B
fund "being nice" at pre-seed wastes a meeting.
- Thesis fit: do they actively invest in your space and "why now"? Read
their recent deals and partner writing.
- Portfolio fit: relevant wins (credibility, help) but no direct competitor
(conflict kills the deal and risks your data).
- Value beyond money: the specific intro, hire, or expertise this partner
brings. Name it, or they are just capital.
- The partner, not the firm: you are pitching one human who must champion
you internally. Target the right partner by name.
Angels vs VCs vs other capital
- Angels / operators: fast, founder-friendly, great for pre-seed credibility
and domain help. Smaller checks; assemble a syndicate.
- Seed/VC funds: larger checks, board involvement, pro-rata in later rounds.
- Strategics, accelerators, venture debt, revenue-based: situational; know
the strings before you pursue.
Build the round as a mix — a lead plus angels who add signal and help.
Map the warm path
Cold works, warm wins. For every target, find the strongest introduction path:
- Founders the partner has backed (the highest-signal intro by far).
- Mutual operators, prior colleagues, your own investors and advisors.
- Rank intros by the referrer's credibility with that partner, and request the
intro with a forwardable blurb you write for them.
Sequence the list
- Tier 3 (warm-ups): a few lower-stakes meetings to sharpen the pitch first.
- Tier 2 (core targets): the bulk, run in a tight batch to create a
competitive window.
- Tier 1 (dream leads): approach once the pitch is sharp and you have signal.
Never burn a Tier 1 cold on day one with an unrehearsed pitch.
Anti-patterns
- A 200-name spray list with no warm paths and no thesis fit.
- Pitching a direct competitor's investor and leaking your strategy.
- Approaching your dream fund first, before the pitch is battle-tested.
Deliverable
A ranked target list (30-60 names) with stage/thesis/portfolio fit scored, the
specific value each adds, the named partner, the warm-intro path and referrer
for each, and a tiered sequencing plan. Load it into [[investor-pipeline-crm]].
