Andrew Ackerman (Managing Director, Dreamit) Investors get so many cold emails from mediocre (at best!) startups that a warm intro is essentially the only effective way to their attention. Here’s how to get those warm intros and how to nail the intro once you have it.

1. The Art of Getting
Warm Intros
to Investors
@dreamit
Presented by Andrew Ackerman,
Managing Director, UrbanTech
July 11, 2019

2. Prerequisite
You generally want to have a
list of 50-100 relevant
investors before kicking off
your round.
@dreamit

3. TIP:
Read “The Art of
Prospecting for Investors”
@dreamit

4. Your Investor Prospect List
@dreamit

5. Meet Your New Best Friend
@dreamit

6. Use LinkedIn to Build Your Connector List
➜ Type each investor’s name into
LinkedIn to find mutual connections
who you can ask for warm
introductions.
➜ Only count people who know you
well enough to make a credible
introduction.
@dreamit

7. There are Three Kinds of Connectors
Unlimited
Introductions
Use Sparingly Do Not Use
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8. Add Them to Your Prospect Spreadsheet
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9. Use the “Unlimiteds” first.
Then turn to “As Needed”
...and try to spread the burden
evenly
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10. Reaching Out To Connectors
➜ Sprint, not a marathon
➜ Get a quick Yes or No
➜ Follow up within 4-7 days
➜ No response? Reach out to
another connector
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11. Wouldn’t it be faster to ask
multiple people for
introductions to the same
investor?
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12. Yes…
...but you are burning social
currency with each request
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13. Remember to be an Email Ninja
➜ Have a clear, killer subject line
➜ Make it short, forwardable, & scannable
➜ Give them an easy out (viz., get a quick
no)
➜ Use tools like Boomerang to keep track
of outstanding requests
@dreamit

14. @dreamit
The Ideal Intro Request Email (IMNSHO)

15. TIP:
Read “The Art of
Breaking Through Via Email”
@dreamit

16. ➔ Start with 50-100 prospects
➔ Use LinkedIn to source warm intros
➔ Use “Unlimited” connectors first, then
share the love
➔ Make the intros easy!
➔ Get a quick Yes or No
To Recap
@dreamit

17. The Art of Getting
Warm Intros
to Investors
@dreamit
Presented by Andrew Ackerman,
Managing Director, UrbanTech
andrew@dreamit.com
@andrewackerman