AngelList is great - but how do you get in touch with investors?

Mackenzie Hughes Head of Business Development at Akimbo

October 16th, 2014

As entrepreneurs, we are all fully aware that fundraising is a full-time job in itself. Our network is fairly big, we've got solid traction, and we can scout out startups that are similar to ours...and their investors. But, what is the best way to get in contact with angels that I find on angellist? Tips and tricks?

Kevin Lentz

October 16th, 2014

Find the other companies they have invested in, and contact those founders with 'Hey, I noticed that XYZ recently invested in you. We've been considering her/him. Can I buy you coffee and hear about your experience with them?'

Then at that meeting, if it makes sense, ask the founder if he/she could introduce you to the investor.

Kevin Lentz

October 17th, 2014

Mathieson, I often find myself approaching things the same way - 'Perfect is the enemy of good enough.'

My new approach, and I think many Angels would agree, is that it is better to begin a relationship over a handful of meetings. This allows your solution to unfold over time. 30-sec elevator pitch -> coffee about idea -> in depth meeting with customer discovery data to backup problem/solution fit and answer questions from mtg #2 -> ask

My 2 cents

Eric Sullivan CEO at FoundationLab

October 16th, 2014

I have had luck either just getting their contact off of their VC or Angel website or just messaging them on linkedin and asking for a call or in person meeting.

Joe Monastiero CEO, Founder nFlate

October 16th, 2014

Find investors whose investment interests match yours on AL. If you have compelling foundational traction and a good story, reach out to them using InMail on LinkedIn. I've found its best to try to work with syndicators IF you can get their attention. But angels that have done a number of deals in your space that are not syndicators are also good targets. Syndicators are like small seed VCs, very picky.

Brent Chauvin Lure.is can build your MVP to get funded or scale into a profitable organization

May 30th, 2018

Are you looking how to get their emails from AngelList? I have used AngelList for lead generation, it works very very well. You need some additional tools to locate their email address. You can use hunter.io and anymailfinder. All you need is a name and their website domain and it will locate the email address. Alex Berman does some great videos about it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3oqPBL-4Rrc

Mathieson Sterling Senior Software Engineer at Apprenda

October 16th, 2014

We're in the same boat - I'd been holding off contacting till our deck and public sites were perfect, but I'm wondering what is the best time to contact investors?

Robb Miller founder at gnito

October 17th, 2014

Hi Mackenzie - I like the suggestions from Eric, Kevin, Joe and Mathieson. Also, have you tried the Gnito iPhone App? It helps you leverage your network to find the right pathways for a Warm Introduction to US Accredited Investors on any platform. (its a MVP, all feedback welcome!) bit.ly/Gnito, gnito.me. Warm intros change everything! Check out this blogpost, and this blogpost. (Best of luck! let us know how it goes)

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