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I doubt you all reply to cold emails ? As someone who has no connections to the VC world, it does feel intimidating just writing a cold email. Then again - noth

I doubt you all reply to cold emails ? As someone who has no connections to the VC world, it does feel intimidating just writing a cold email. Then again - nothing to lose.

lisper 6y ago
You'd be surprised. VCs will often respond to cold calls because part of their job is to cultivate connections with people who will be starting the Next Big Thing. The best way to do that is to get them into their rolodex before they get on anyone else's radar. But be careful what you wish for. Getting the cold call response and even the first meeting is relatively easy. But it is also easy to exhibit a level of cluelessness that will get you blackballed, and if that happens you will probably never know it. So that first meeting can be very much a two-edged sword. You only get one chance to make a first impression.
- halfmatthalfcat 6y ago
  Why would you get blackballed for being clueless? Are founders suppose to come equipped with how to speak VC jargon? Aren’t VCs suppose to find unpolished talent with the ability to execute, invest and be a resource to make them successful?
  - lisper 6y ago
    Being clueless != not knowing the jargon. In fact, one of the most common forms of cluelessness is throwing jargon around in a misguided attempt to show that you know things that you actually don't. Being clueless means not knowing something that you really should have known, and that does not include jargon. I'll give you an example from my own experience: I had a meeting with a name-brand VC during which I levied some harsh criticism at a company that it turned out that they had invested in, indicating that I either didn't know they had invested in it or that I did know and was just being obnoxious. Either way, I was exhibiting cluelessness. One of the many things you are expected to know before talking to any VC is all the information on their web site: their portfolio companies, who the partners are, where they spent their careers, what their investment thesis is. Happily, that one mistake was not enough to actually get me blackballed throughout the industry, but I never had another meeting with anyone at that firm.
robot 6y ago
work out your product, buyer persona, business model, go to market, and tell a coherent story around these for why you will succeed and you will get replies. the cold email contents will be a concise summary of the above.
fgimenez 6y ago
Really depends on the type of cold email. If an investment banker cold emails me with a “hot deal” I delete immediately. If a founder sends me a template email in a space I clearly dont invest, I delete. If a dev sends me an email with interesting insight or project and the ask is an easy to answer question, I’ll respond. Might go out of my way and chat if I’m impressed.
mch82 6y ago
Optimistically, he did just reply to a cold post :-)

I doubt you all reply to cold emails ? As someone who has no connections to the VC world, it does feel intimidating just writing a cold email. Then again - nothing to lose.

lisper 6y ago

You'd be surprised. VCs will often respond to cold calls because part of their job is to cultivate connections with people who will be starting the Next Big Thing. The best way to do that is to get them into their rolodex before they get on anyone else's radar. But be careful what you wish for. Getting the cold call response and even the first meeting is relatively easy. But it is also easy to exhibit a level of cluelessness that will get you blackballed, and if that happens you will probably never know it. So that first meeting can be very much a two-edged sword. You only get one chance to make a first impression.

halfmatthalfcat 6y ago
Why would you get blackballed for being clueless? Are founders suppose to come equipped with how to speak VC jargon? Aren’t VCs suppose to find unpolished talent with the ability to execute, invest and be a resource to make them successful?
- lisper 6y ago
  Being clueless != not knowing the jargon. In fact, one of the most common forms of cluelessness is throwing jargon around in a misguided attempt to show that you know things that you actually don't. Being clueless means not knowing something that you really should have known, and that does not include jargon. I'll give you an example from my own experience: I had a meeting with a name-brand VC during which I levied some harsh criticism at a company that it turned out that they had invested in, indicating that I either didn't know they had invested in it or that I did know and was just being obnoxious. Either way, I was exhibiting cluelessness. One of the many things you are expected to know before talking to any VC is all the information on their web site: their portfolio companies, who the partners are, where they spent their careers, what their investment thesis is. Happily, that one mistake was not enough to actually get me blackballed throughout the industry, but I never had another meeting with anyone at that firm.

robot 6y ago

work out your product, buyer persona, business model, go to market, and tell a coherent story around these for why you will succeed and you will get replies. the cold email contents will be a concise summary of the above.

fgimenez 6y ago

Really depends on the type of cold email. If an investment banker cold emails me with a “hot deal” I delete immediately. If a founder sends me a template email in a space I clearly dont invest, I delete. If a dev sends me an email with interesting insight or project and the ask is an easy to answer question, I’ll respond. Might go out of my way and chat if I’m impressed.

mch82 6y ago

Optimistically, he did just reply to a cold post :-)