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Ask HN: Have you gotten anywhere cold messaging investors?

21 points iiJDSii | 3 comments | 15 Nov 24 22:25 UTC | HN request time: 0.68s | source

As an unknown/nobody with a startup and a pitch, have you personally gotten anywhere cold messaging investors? Emailing them, messaging on LinkedIn, filling out website applications, etc.

What were the results, and how many did you have to contact before you got anywhere?

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FreakLegion ◴[16 Nov 24 01:55 UTC] No.42153456[source]▶
Have you done anything noteworthy? If not, like if you're fresh out of school in your early twenties, then your best option for immediate capital is a program like YC. Or if bootstrapping is an option, do that until you have metrics people can't say no to. Your resume doesn't matter at $1m ARR or 10 million MAU or whatever, only how fast you got there. Otherwise, maybe don't reach out to partners directly. Go downmarket to principals or investors or associates. Win them over and they'll be your champions to the partners.

If you've been out in the world for a while and accomplished things, then you can absolutely reach out cold. Warm is better, but cold will work. If you've accomplished big things you'll have no problem getting to partners directly, otherwise you still might need to aim a little lower, depending on the firm and partner. (Accomplishing things could be building a business or doing significant research; accomplishing big things could be building multiple nine-figure businesses or being one of the co-authors on "Attention Is All You Need". You can do these things while still being relatively "nobody".)

This is general advice, of course, so take it modulo the space you're in. When the world's going nuts for $TREND and you're dealing $TREND, anything can happen.

replies(1): >>42154685 #
1. cultofmetatron ◴[16 Nov 24 05:59 UTC] No.42154685[source]▶
> if you're fresh out of school in your early twenties,

I would argue that starting a startup at that age is a bad idea for most. it was a different time 20 years ago. plus most of those success stories are people who were already well connected.

Tech has mostly matured and there are processes in place for good releases. you're better off working for other startups and learning what a good work culture looks like. worst case, you learn what to look out for from bad work culture. more importantly, you make mistakes on someone else's dime or better yet, you have a mentor who helps you avoid the bad decisions in the first place.

Plus its not like being older makes you age out of starting a startup. I recently turned 40 and the startup I cofounded 4 years ago is profitable. I wouldn't have succeeded with what I knew 20 years ago.

replies(1): >>42158725 #
2. AznHisoka ◴[16 Nov 24 19:49 UTC] No.42158725[source]▶
Devils advocate, but you also will never have as little risk, and as much energy as you will when u are in your 20s. If you start in ur 20s, and fail - no big deal, as long as you keep expenses low - just find another job. Not so when you’re 40, have kids, a mortgage, more health issues, older parents to care for, etc
replies(1): >>42192001 #
3. CatDivers ◴[20 Nov 24 08:59 UTC] No.42192001[source]▶
I’m 38 and have a start-up. I am more focused, energetic and hard working than in my 20s, and of many I’ve met.

Most funders and programmes disregard me due to age and gender (f), that’s their loss. These stereotypes aren’t helpful, but they won’t change anytime soon and no point complaining - I’ll just keep killing it.

‘I don’t want to be a product of my environment, I want my environment to be a product of me’ - this quote from the Departed aligns with my view ;)