Warm intros convert better than cold email, so start there. But no network isn't a dead end: a specific, honest cold email to the right partner works too. Both rules are the same: be about them, be true, be short.
1Map your warm paths
For every Tier 1 and Tier 2 investor, look for someone who can introduce you:
- Founders they've backed (check their portfolio against your LinkedIn connections).
- Other investors in your round, or your advisors.
- Your accelerator, school or former colleagues.
- Anyone who's met the partner, even once.
The best introducer is a founder they backed who'll vouch for you. A stranger who barely knows either of you is worth less than a good cold email.
2Make the intro easy to say yes to
Send the connector two things: a short note with an easy out, and a blurb they can forward without editing.
Hi [name], I'm raising a $[round] [stage] round for [company]. [Partner] at [fund] looks like a great fit because [specific reason]. Would you be comfortable introducing us? I've put a short blurb below you can forward. Totally fine if not.
[Founder] is the founder of [company], which [one-liner]. [One proof point, e.g. "14 clinics pay for it, up from 3 in March"]. They're raising a $[round] [stage] round and thought [fund] would be a fit because of [specific reason]. Happy to connect you?
Ask the connector to check with the investor first ("double opt-in"). Investors take intros more seriously when they agreed to them.
3Write the cold email
When there's no warm path, write to the right partner, not a generic inbox.
The rules:
- Two subject lines to choose from, 50 characters or fewer.
- The first line is about them: a recent post, a deal they led, a thesis in their words. Not "I came across your firm."
- One line on what you do, in plain words.
- One proof point, your strongest real number.
- One soft ask, plus an easy out.
- 75 words or fewer. No attachments; a link to the deck is fine.
Subject: [their portfolio company] for [your market] Hi [name], Your post on [specific idea] matched what we see with [customers]. [Company] [one-liner]. [Proof point]. We're raising a $[round] [stage] round. Worth a 20-minute call next week? If it's not a fit, no reply needed. [Your name] [One link]
Write a cold email to [partner] at [fund]. Facts about them, with sources: [paste]. Facts about us (use only these): [paste approved proof points]. Rules: 75 words max, first line about them using one sourced fact, one line on what we do, one proof point, one soft ask with an easy out. Give 2 subject lines under 50 characters. No hype words. If none of the facts is a strong reason to write, tell me instead of writing a generic email.
4Follow up with something new each time
Most replies come after the first email, not to it. Every follow-up adds something new.
| Day | Channel | What to send |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | The first email | |
| 3 | A connection request. No pitch | |
| 9 | A new angle: a milestone since day 0, or a relevant result | |
| 19 | A friendly last note that leaves the door open |
Stop the moment they reply, including a no. Partners talk to each other, and a founder who respects a no gets remembered well.
Hi [name], I'll stop here. If [company] becomes a fit later, I'd love to reconnect. Either way, I'll send a short update when we hit [next milestone].
The templates on this page, your own inbox and a sheet for follow-up dates.
The cold-email and follow-up skills write the intro request, blurb, cold email and the whole sequence from your list and facts. Drafts only: you send.
StartWise drafts outreach from each investor's real activity, sends from your inbox with safe daily limits, and tracks follow-ups for you.
Do it in StartWise →What's next
Meetings are booked. Now run the process so it ends in a term sheet: run your raise in 8 weeks.
Pitch out loud to four AI investor personas who push back, then get graded with rewrites for your weakest answers. The free steps above still work. This is the fast way.