🎯 How to Build an Investor List from Scratch in 30 Days

Hey founder,

No warm intros? No investor network? No problem.

Too many early-stage founders think they need connections to start raising. But here’s the truth:
You don’t need a rolodex—you need a repeatable system.

Here’s how to build your investor list from scratch in just 30 days:

🧭 Week 1: Get Clear on Your Target Investor

Don’t start with “Spray and Pray.” Start with focus.

• Define your stage, sector, and geography.
  

• Look for investors who’ve backed companies like yours, not just “big names.”
  

• Use tools like:
  → [Crunchbase]
  → [PitchBook]
  → [Signal.nfx.com]
  → LinkedIn & Twitter
  

📌 Goal: Identify your top 100 “likely to be a fit” investors.

📚 Week 2: Research + Categorize

Now turn those names into a strategic list.

• Tag each one:
  → Bullseye (strong fit)
  → Possible (maybe)
  → Reach (long shot but why not)
  

• Look at their current portfolio, average check size, and lead/follow behavior.
  

• Check mutual connections for intro paths (and start warming them up).
  

📌 Goal: Have a segmented, up-to-date spreadsheet of 100–150 investors with contact paths.

✉️ Week 3: Prep Your Assets

Before you hit “send,” tighten your materials.

• Short blurb / forwardable blurb
  

• 1-liner + traction metric
  

• Notion one-pager or lightweight deck
  

• Bonus: a 30-second video or Loom pitch to make it personal
  

📌 Goal: Be ready to make every cold message feel warm.

🚀 Week 4: Start Outreach + Track Everything

Don’t just send. Send, track, and follow up.

• Batch your outreach in 3-5/day chunks
  

• Customize at least one sentence per email (make it obvious it’s not a copy-paste)
  

• Log every touchpoint and response
  

• Follow up after 5-7 days (twice max)
  

📌 Goal: Land your first 5–10 intro calls and start building momentum.

💡 Pro Tip:
You’re not just raising money—you’re raising relationships. Treat your investor pipeline like your sales pipeline: qualify, nurture, and convert.

That’s it. 30 days. No shortcuts, just a system that works.

Now go build your list—and start the conversations that will change your business.

See you at the next round,

Steve
The Hands On Angel
 

🔗 Want more tactical advice like this?
Check out my course The Funding Accelerator to fast-track your raise →The Funding Accelerator