As a BIPOC female founder without connections in venture capital circles, the traditional warm intro process, which relies on existing networks, wasn’t working for me. Instead, I developed a faster and more effective method for securing VC meetings, as well as generating organic press and customer connections. This method, which I call the Inbound Lead Generation Process for Fundraising, focuses on attracting potential customers through valuable content creation.
The process consists of four steps: Build, Don’t Wait for VC Funding, Make Them Read About You – Get Organic PR, Make Them Talk About You – Become a Thought Leader, and Build in Public. The first step emphasizes building your product without waiting for validation or funding from VCs. By focusing on creating a product and launching creatively, you can demonstrate your skills and solve initial proof points. Shopify is a prime example of a company that found success by leveraging content marketing as a customer acquisition vehicle before receiving significant funding.
The second step of the process involves generating organic PR by reaching out to publications and writers in your industry. By sending personalized cold emails and pitching story ideas, you can attract the attention of journalists and secure press coverage for your company. Additionally, becoming a thought leader in your industry through insightful writing and speaking engagements can help you gain recognition from VCs and other key players in the field.
The third step focuses on building in public, which involves sharing content about how you are building your company’s products or services to engage with like-minded individuals. By publicly sharing your progress and lessons learned, you can generate buzz around your company and attract investors. Finally, showcasing your strengths as a founder and creating a personalized strategy for launching and fundraising can help you stand out in a competitive market.
Overall, the key to success as an underdog founder is to find innovative ways to build and launch on your own terms and showcase your abilities. By leveraging your strengths in areas such as strategy, marketing, innovation, and writing, you can attract attention from press, investors, and customers. Through the Inbound Lead Generation Process for Fundraising, founders without existing connections in the VC world can still secure meetings and support for their companies.
