How Founders Can Build Relationships With Investors Before They Need Capital
🔍 Why Relationships Matter More Than Cold Pitches
The most successful fundraising efforts often begin months (or even years) before a startup needs money. By building authentic relationships with investors early, founders can:
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Establish trust
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Stay top-of-mind when investors are ready to deploy capital
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Gain valuable feedback before a formal pitch
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Reduce friction when it’s time to raise
Think of it like dating before marriage. A cold pitch is risky; a warm introduction from a relationship you’ve nurtured is a game changer.
🗓️ When Should You Start?
The best time to connect with investors is when you’re not actively raising.
This gives you the advantage of:
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Lower pressure conversations
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More honest feedback
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More time to refine your strategy
Start 6–12 months before your next round if possible.
📬 Tactics to Build Investor Relationships Early
1. Send Monthly or Quarterly Investor Updates
Even if you’re not raising, sending concise updates to a few key investors builds trust and shows progress. Include:
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Milestones hit
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Revenue/user growth
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Product launches
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Learnings and challenges
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A short “ask” (e.g., looking for intros, feedback)
📧 Tip: Use tools like Visible or FounderNest to format these updates professionally.
2. Comment and Engage on LinkedIn or Twitter
Investors are active online. Share their content, comment thoughtfully, or send a quick DM with insights. Authentic, valuable interaction stands out.
3. Attend Events Where Investors Are Speaking
Conferences, panels, demo days — these are all places where early connections can happen casually. Don’t pitch right away — ask questions, follow up after.
4. Ask for Feedback, Not Money
When you do reach out directly, frame your outreach around feedback, not funding.
Instead of:
“We’re raising a round, can I pitch you?”
Try:
“We’re planning a raise in 6 months. I’d love your feedback on our progress and roadmap if you’re open to it.”
5. Leverage Mutual Connections
Warm intros are gold. Use your network — advisors, other founders, accelerator mentors — to make early soft introductions.
🔄 What Investors Appreciate
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Transparency – Be honest about challenges
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Consistency – Stay in touch without spamming
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Data-driven updates – Highlight real metrics and learnings
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Coachability – Show you’re open to guidance
🧠 Examples of Good Early Communication
Subject: April Update — 20% MoM Growth, New Pilot Launched
Hi [Investor Name],
We’ve seen exciting traction this month, including:
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20% revenue growth
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2 new pilot partnerships signed
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Our new UX overhaul is live
We’d love to get your quick feedback on our Q3 roadmap if you’re open to it. Thanks for being in the loop!
Best,
[Your Name]
📉 Common Mistakes to Avoid
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Ghosting after an intro
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Overselling too early
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Sending generic, long emails
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Asking for money with no context
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Failing to follow up
💡 Pro Tip: Build a Shortlist
Create a spreadsheet or Airtable of your ideal investor targets. Include:
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Firm
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Name
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Focus area
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Stage
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Prior investments
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Notes / Date contacted
Track interactions and set calendar reminders to check in quarterly.
✅ Final Thoughts
Investor relationships are long-term assets. Just like customers, they need to be nurtured with attention, trust, and value.
Start early. Stay consistent. And when it’s time to raise, you’ll already have a warm bench of investors familiar with your story — and more likely to say yes.