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In the middle of fund raising right now and talking to many associates, as well as some partners. So an informed discussion would be very helpful. For example,

In the middle of fund raising right now and talking to many associates, as well as some partners. So an informed discussion would be very helpful. For example, what should we say to VC associates so they can pitch the deal favorably to the partner. For context, all the funds we're talking to is from warm intro from a fund that's already going to fill the round.

enra 5y ago
If you already have the round filled with someone then I would just prioritize specific individuals to add to the round. It’s not necessarily worth talking to other vcs since most of them would like to have a larger % of the round. But for associates you would likely say the same things as you would say to the partner. Associates can’t make any decisions so they have to make a compelling case to the partner, and the partner has to make a compelling case to the whole partnership. Also talking associates means the partner is not interested enough yet, if they were they would probably want to talk to you themselves. Depends on the fund and your stage but in early stages investors looks at the team, product and market. Each vc has a different order of preference for those 3. If the big enough market exists and team is the right team to build the right product. More proof or traction you can show the better. Also growth month over month is generally more important than absolute numbers. Flat or slow growth can look worse than no growth. Personally I think timing makes all difference. Fundraising when you have your story together and have some good traction but not too far along for the stage or getting to a point with where many vcs are already somewhat interested and hammering your email and at least one of them is close to give you a term sheet or given you a term sheet. Then you can round up the interested ones by saying that there is term sheet or a term sheet incoming.
- xiaolingxiao 5y ago
  ok this is very helpful thank you! How much does the lead matter in the seed stage in your experience?

enra 5y ago

If you already have the round filled with someone then I would just prioritize specific individuals to add to the round. It’s not necessarily worth talking to other vcs since most of them would like to have a larger % of the round. But for associates you would likely say the same things as you would say to the partner. Associates can’t make any decisions so they have to make a compelling case to the partner, and the partner has to make a compelling case to the whole partnership. Also talking associates means the partner is not interested enough yet, if they were they would probably want to talk to you themselves. Depends on the fund and your stage but in early stages investors looks at the team, product and market. Each vc has a different order of preference for those 3. If the big enough market exists and team is the right team to build the right product. More proof or traction you can show the better. Also growth month over month is generally more important than absolute numbers. Flat or slow growth can look worse than no growth. Personally I think timing makes all difference. Fundraising when you have your story together and have some good traction but not too far along for the stage or getting to a point with where many vcs are already somewhat interested and hammering your email and at least one of them is close to give you a term sheet or given you a term sheet. Then you can round up the interested ones by saying that there is term sheet or a term sheet incoming.

xiaolingxiao 5y ago
ok this is very helpful thank you! How much does the lead matter in the seed stage in your experience?