How to Get a Warm VC Intro (and Actually Land the Meeting)

🔥 How to Get a Warm VC Intro (and Actually Land the Meeting)

Fundraising is brutal — but warm intros change the game. They get you 10x the response rate of cold emails. Here’s a tactical playbook to nail it:

🔑 1. Warm Intros > Cold Outreach

Yes, cold DMs and emails can work — but warm intros still rule. VCs trust their network more than a random pitch.

👉 Ask founders they’ve backed.

👉 Tap friendly investors, ex-colleagues, or advisors.

👉 Use tools like Conduit, Signal, or VC portfolio maps to find mutual connections.

🧠 2. Build a Relationship First

Before the intro, do your homework.

→ Follow the investor on X (Twitter) or LinkedIn.

→ Like + comment on their posts for 1–2 weeks.

→ Reference a recent deal or opinion they shared — relevance builds trust.

This way, when your name comes up, it’s familiar — not random.

🎯 3. Make the Intro Request Frictionless

Your contact is doing you a favor — make it brain-dead simple to forward.

Keep it short (under 150 words), and include:

• A 1-line description of your startup

• Traction proof (users, revenue, waitlist)

• A bold, clear ask (“We’re raising $500K pre-seed and would love to chat”)

• Deck or Notion link (never ask if they want the deck — just include it)

📊 4. Turn the Intro Into a Call

When the intro hits:

• Reply fast (within 1–2 hours)

• Say thank you

• Propose 2–3 time slots

• Keep it short, upbeat, and confident

No reply after 5 days? Bump once, politely. If still no response, move on. Don’t burn bridges — timing is everything.