Are you a new #VC Head of Platform?

As Getro has grown to become the market leader in facilitating talent intros for VC firms, I've gotten to speak with 2,000+ investors. Most were in the midst of establishing a "head of platform" role to add more holistic value to founders. Here are the top 5 best-practices I've heard from new "heads of platform" on how to succeed in the role: 1. *Join the VC Platform Global Community.* So many of our customers have raved to me about how indispensable their membership in this community has been. Peer learning, local and global events, product recommendations and shared discounts, a library of highly practical content, and more. When heads of platform need support and guidance, they often turn to this community as their first resource. Also, being a participant in a great community will inspire you to build great community among the founders you serve. 2. *Talk to 10 other heads of platform.* Whether or not you officially join a community like the VC Platform Global Community, it's important to create your own community. Find people who've been in your position and ask them what worked, what they'd do differently, and how they'd prepare themselves to succeed. Ask about their tech stacks, the ways they help their founders succeed, the ways they aligned with other stakeholders at the fund. 3. *Interview your GPs and LPs.* Ask them about their expectations and goals for your role. After these conversations, have a candid "what does success look like" conversation. If your role is being judged on immediate financial returns, your role may not last long. But if there's alignment around a more holistic vision for founder support and brand building, then you can find ways to measure leading indicators for the role's ongoing impact. 4. *Make Your Presence Known to Portfolio Companies.* Ensure that your portfolio companies know you exist and understand how you can help them. Schedule 1v1 intro meetings, send out regular updates, and be proactive in offering support. Your role is to add value, and that starts with building strong relationships and being a visible, accessible resource. 5. *Use Tech to Gain Leverage.* It's tempting to make every aspect of the Platform role feel white-glove for founders. But to enable that, you have to automate parts of the portfolio value-add function by investing in the right software. Using the right tools--like GetroJobs to automatically list all the jobs in your portfolio on your website, or GetroConnect to 10x the # of talent and sales intros you're able to make for founders--can accelerate your success. Thanks to Katie Ko an inspiring conversation last week that led to this post.

If you are a startup founder building a VC network to secure capital, or a global VC seeking to connect with GCC investors for pipeline sharing and co-investing, there’s no better way than scheduling calls via LinkedIn. Here are three steps to build this network: 1. **Automated Outreach:** Start by setting up automated outreach using Phantombuster's "Search to Lead Connection" feature. This tool helps you reach out to 350 people per month, sending them automated messages introducing yourself and emphasizing (1) your core strengths or accomplishments and (2) your intentions. We advocate for a direct approach because time is money, and clarity is key: "This is what I want to share, this is my added value, and this is what I would like to align on." From there, it’s a straightforward yes or no. LinkedIn sends messages to a broad audience, including those with titles like "Investment Director," "VC Analyst," or "General Partner." However, we don’t recommend targeting "Managing Partner" roles, as they are often associated with advisory firms, such as legal advisory firms, which may not be your focus. 2. **Follow-Up:** Once connected, it’s important to follow up, as LinkedIn messages can get lost among thousands of others. Invite those who have accepted your connection request to a short 15-minute introductory call. During the call be respectful of your new connections’ time and ask specific questions, such as "What is your investment focus?" Take note of their stage, geography, check size, industry, ARR, technology, and whether they lead deals. Once you confirm that a fund's focus aligns with your needs, you can move to the next stage. 3. **Networking:** Attend conferences in the region where the fund representative is based and invite them for a coffee meeting during the event. In the GCC, nothing builds relationships better than sharing a cup of coffee or Moroccan tea, where you can exchange ideas, share industry or market knowledge, and gauge if you share the same vision and vibe (which is very important in the GCC). Investors are busy people, always on the lookout for either new startups or capital. If you can add value to their business and make it clear during the first 15-minute call, they are unlikely to refuse a meeting at an event where they are speaking. This is the easiest way to make new connections in the global VC world.

Why VC Lists in Excel Aren't the Holy Grail (bunch of links to those files below - no need to comment to get them but highly appreciated if you help to spread the word) 👇 But before downloading please consider: 📊 What VC Lists Get Right These lists are a starting point. They provide an overview of firms that might align with your goals. For those new to fundraising, they can help build the ecosystem. ❌ What VC Lists Miss 1️⃣ Context is Key: These lists rarely include critical details like investment stage, ticket size, industry preferences, or timing. Are you a MedTech startup approaching a generalist VC focused on fintech? Are you a class III device approaching a Digital Health investor? You’re wasting time. 2️⃣ Relationships Matter: Fundraising isn’t about blasting emails to a hundred addresses. It’s about building relationships. Warm introductions and tailored pitches always outperform cold outreach. 3️⃣ Dynamic Market: VCs change strategies all the time. A list from six months ago might already be outdated. Some firms stop deploying capital, others don't have dry powder, while others shift focus or already commit to similar companies. 4️⃣ The Human Factor: Investors don’t just invest in ideas—they invest in teams. A personalized approach shows you’ve done your homework and understand their values and portfolio. 💡 The Better Way If you’re serious about raising funds: Work with Experts: Partnering with a service like GS Capital Connect helps you cut through the noise. We connect MedTech startups with the right investors—those who align with your stage, vision, and therapy area focus—saving you time and increasing your chances of success. Get Feedback: Engage with your network and always ask investors for feedback following meetings / introductions so you can refine your approach. Build Connections: Leverage mutual contacts for introductions. Fundraising is about quality, not quantity! 💰𝗩𝗖𝘀 𝗯𝘆 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲: ⬪ Pre-Seed: https://lnkd.in/gnxYgFF8 ⬪ Seed: https://lnkd.in/g7rntFQa ⬪ Seed & Series A: https://lnkd.in/gU_PZwra 𝗩𝗖𝘀 𝗯𝘆 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆: ⬪ HealthTech VCs: https://lnkd.in/gMWDprYC 😇 𝗔𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗹𝘀: ⬪ US Founders Investing: https://lnkd.in/gHtZZY2y ⬪ SaaS Angels: https://lnkd.in/g3z9sBAE ⬪ US Women: https://lnkd.in/gd4JefpG ⬪ Global Women: https://lnkd.in/gYAW3avh ⬪ Australia: https://lnkd.in/gxYmwaTb ⬪ Africa: https://lnkd.in/g3z-cx6z ⬪ Middle East: https://lnkd.in/ghZ5PeQF 🌱 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀: ⬪ Every Accelerator: https://lnkd.in/dncseAmE Credit to Kevin Jurovich for the above plus a bunch more in the comments and feel free to share any other lists you have come across. . #StartupFunding #VC #MedTech #InvestorRelations #FundraisingTips

The VC space is so competitive. But could VCs be doing more to differentiate themselves? There is so much focus on founders and their products needing to have USPs in order to obtain investment. But I think VCs need to think in the same light. I’m starting to see the tables turn. Founders walking away from deals. Founders looking for more than just cash. They are more educated than ever when it comes to reviewing terms sheets. And the best can choose where they take cash from. They aren’t going to relinquish control for a 15% stake... I've heard some horror stories recently... But I’ve met some great VCs lately who are really adding value to portfolio companies. The Founder and VC relationship is the same as any relationship, and in a competitive market you need to add the extra value. Here are 5 areas VCs can do better to differentiate themselves: 1. Make the terms REALLY compelling: Make it compelling, don’t try and screw the founder over. They won't be motivated which will just impact the success and future valuation. 2. Create an expert collective That collective of curated domain experts will really add value to the portfolio. Many try or claim to do this but in my opinion it’s still not done well. I speak to founders all the time who’s VCs have an expert collective yet their GTM knowledge is way behind where it should be. Not setting this up effectively means cash is just being burnt post raise. 3. Partner networks Build a network of partners where founders can benefit from trials, discounts etc. There are similar tools/services all founders will need as part of their tool kit and procuring a partner deal saves time and money and acts a great value add. 4. Communities You can’t beat those personal peer to peer relationships, especially the IRL ones! Many have these but don’t have great engagement. Hiring that community manager early to really drive this really helps those founders spar with each other - plus those from the expert collective. 5. Pitch process Nothing worse than pitching or sending a deck and not hearing back. Having a slick pitch process which makes it easy for founders and ensures tangible feedback. Founders - What would you like to see more from VCs? VC’s - How do you differentiate to get the best investments? #founders #vc

My office surrounds a large room that occasionally hosts speakers. As a result, I sometimes find myself sneaking out at the end of the day in order to not disturb whatever event is happening. In these scenarios, I’m focused on making as little noise as possible and ignoring what the speaker is saying. However, as I was sneaking out of my office a few weeks ago, a venture capitalist was giving a talk to a group of business school students, and she said something so pithy and thoughtful that I haven’t been able to get out of my head. She told the crowd: “At my firm, we have a mantra we constantly repeat to the founders we invest in: 𝐍𝐨’𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐞.” What a great philosophy! It’s so great, in fact, that I’ve decided to steal it and make it a mantra for this community, too. People are afraid of the word “𝐧𝐨” It’s something that gets deeply implanted in our psyches during childhood when we all have parents and teachers constantly telling us “no.” (As a parent of two young children, I can confirm I tell my children “no” at least a dozen times a day.) But, as entrepreneurs, we need to understand that a “no” isn’t a bad thing. A “no” is a gift. It’s actually two gifts, rapped in one. The first gift is that a “𝐧𝐨” is a great form of feedback. When people tell you “no” — potential investors, potential customers, potential employees, etc. — they’re providing valuable datapoints about what you’re building and who it doesn’t appeal to. Never waste that data. Use it to better understand how to improve. The second gift of a “𝐧𝐨” is that it saves time. When people clearly and decisively tell you “no,” you don’t have to worry about them anymore. For example, investors who say “no” are investors you no longer have to meet with and update. Customers who give a clear “no” let you stop wasting time and money trying to sell to them. Simply put, a “no” provides important directionality for whatever your startup is trying to accomplish. Best of all, as that VC I was eavesdropping on had been telling her audience, “no’s are free.” They don’t cost the people you’re asking anything, and they don’t cost you anything. So what are you waiting for? Go out and get as many people telling you “no” as possible. In fact, the more times you hear people tell you “no,” the better you’ll be at finding people who want to say “yes.” Source: Aaron Dinin I think some investors think it cost them something, but to me it just like a child that doesn't know what he/she wants. Say the "no" clear and with pride while knowing vc-ing is just a business and you can't pick or back all winners.

The “Operator-Investor” is the hope 🕊️for your local ecosystem… deep thread why these people are more valuable than any initiatives or non-profits. We are beginning to prove this with TribeAngels in Utah. #1️⃣ First what is an “operator-investor”? I classify these individuals in 3 categories: 💎 The Cash Flow Queen (or King) Someone whose business is successfully cash flowing business (or real estate) and now wants to utilize that cash flow (or exit) to invest in the new tech. 💎 Another type of operator investor is The Executive. Someone that has done very well (top sales person, senior engineer or executive at larger company). They feel restricted in their current role and want to get involved in the FUN early stage stuff. 💎 Finally the less common, is The Unicorn. This is either the founder or first 5 employee of a tech company that sold. These individuals are amazing in their knowledge, but many times dream of becoming the VC (warning). #2️⃣ Why are they so important? 🔸They are important because there are a lot of them 🔸They can often see the value before institutional investors 🔸 As business owners they can become customers, advocates, emotional support. #3️⃣ They need education (and at times protection) 🔵 Many operators are very used to “do-it-yourself” types which is amazing. But the transition from operator to investor can be hard. Everything new looks shiny when you’ve come from a less enticing industry or when you are handcuffed in the corporate environment. 🔵 Learning how to play the game for a 10 year deployment schedule, rather than a 2 year schedule is important. 🔵 This is the reason I helped to create TribeAngels to not relay on ME, but to learn from other peers that ARE also investing. You learn to think for yourself, while having a peer group that can help you avoid certain mistakes. I believe we need to educate more of our next generation of investors …. “Business owners, your next job is investing, you just don’t know it yet” - Landon Ainge #Landons_Thoughts #Businessowners #OperatorInvestors #ecosystembuilders I genuinely love operator-investors and will help anyone seeking to navigate where to start. Did I miss any group that fits in that operator investor type? Why else are they valuable?

#day353: Why I Said ‘No’ to Private Investor—and Why It Works for Me. 🔥 Focus is our weapon against chaos. ↳ 2025, Distractions are everywhere. ↳ 2025, Missed opportunities are infinite. ↳ 2025, Our time and energy is limited. ↳ 2025, Ruthless prioritization is how we win. The Rule: “If it’s not SUSTAINABLE, kill it.” ↳ One year ago, I couldn’t have started 100k2FIRE. ↳ Back then, I was refining my strategy (but exhausted after my day job). ↳ The 100k2FIRE strategy ecosystem wasn’t ready to withstand a public test. ↳ Launching too soon would’ve been reckless. The Rule: “If it’s not REPEATABLE, kill it.” ↳ Habits break when they’re unsustainable. ↳ Ideas fail when they demand too much effort. ↳ Only focus on what we can execute consistently. 🔥 Prioritization is our battlefield. ↳ We don’t have unlimited bandwidth. ↳ The key is to focus on high-impact ideas ↳ …that demand the least resources—time, energy, and money. ↳ Kill/ignore everything else. Here’s how I prioritize: ↳ Rate every idea by its impact and required resources. ↳ High-impact, low-resource ideas— go top. ↳ Low-impact, high-resource ideas— are out. Last three months, 3 investors/partners approached me. ↳ They were exploring startups to collaborate/invest in—which I said “no” to. ↳ Meeting people offline takes too much time. ↳ Negotiating terms takes even more time. ↳ Pleasing investors risks diluting the #100k2FIRE mission. ↳ That’s not a price I’m willing to pay. ↳ I wasn’t clear about the value I could bring them either. ↳ There might be synergy if we explored, but I choose to keep my own FIRE burning instead. Missed opportunities are illusions. There’s an endless stream of “what-ifs” out there. But the truth is: we can’t chase everything. Trying to do so only weakens our focus. Solve real problems, not imaginary ones. Focus on execution, not chasing. 🔥 My members are my REAL partners (and investors). ↳ No one understands the 100k2FIRE mission better than they do. ↳ My job is simple: serve them, improve for them, and grow with them. ↳ Members who see results will naturally share the mission. ↳ They’re the lifeblood of 100k2FIRE. I don’t need outside investors or partners—my members are. Their trust gives me the time and resources to constantly refine my methodology, improve onboarding, and create better tools. I’m now creating “MuMing GPT” (my AI-clone). ↳ It’s designed to help new joiners master the structure faster. ↳ Most programs focus on lots of theories. I prefer to get rid of “knowledge transfer” ASAP: ↳ Share what’s enough. ↳ Take action immediately. ↳ Get results quickly. 🔥 Simplicity is our superpower. ↳ Offline meetings are expensive. ↳ Misaligned partnerships are wasteful. ↳ Pleasing investors is risky. We stay lean. We stay intentional. That’s how we win. Focus isn’t a skill; it’s survival.

You're Too Early for Us" – What It REALLY Means (and How to Respond) As founders, we’ve all heard it before: “You’re too early for us.” It’s one of the most common phrases investors use. But let’s peel back the layers—what does it actually mean? And more importantly, how can you turn it into an opportunity? Here’s the truth: "Too early" is rarely about your stage or timeline. It’s often shorthand for one of these things: 1️⃣ "We’re not convinced you’ll succeed." Translation: Your story doesn’t inspire confidence yet. Solution: Strengthen your narrative. Showcase a clear, compelling vision and how you’ll dominate your niche. Highlight early wins or unique traction, even if it’s unconventional. Sometimes the most memorable stories come from unexpected results. 2️⃣ "Your market or timing doesn’t excite us." Translation: They don’t see the massive potential yet. Solution: Double down on market research and share how trends are shifting in your favor. Position your startup as a first-mover or category leader in an emerging market. Consider pivoting or re-framing your GTM strategy to highlight scalability and urgency. 3️⃣ "Your team isn’t giving us confidence." Translation: They’re not betting on the people, not just the idea. Solution: Bring on strong advisors or co-founders with a track record. Showcase how your team has successfully solved similar problems before. Share plans for hiring or upskilling to bridge perceived gaps. 4️⃣ "Your traction isn't enough." Translation: They want more proof of execution. Solution: Instead of waiting for more growth, focus on quality growth. Highlight engaged users, high retention, or unique customer insights. Showcase operational improvements—unit economics, LTV/CAC, or operational efficiency. Use creative pilots, pre-sales, or partnerships to demonstrate demand. 💡 Here’s the kicker: In 99% of cases, simply waiting for another 30-50% growth won’t change their mind. You need to fundamentally elevate your pitch, your proof points, or both. If you hear "too early," don’t take it as a door closing—it’s just feedback in disguise. Investors might not be ready for you now, but they will be if you do the work to shift their perspective. At aSquare Capital, we’ve seen founders turn "too early" into "let’s talk again—soon." And when they do, they come back with stronger narratives, bigger wins, and unstoppable confidence. 💬 Founders: How have you handled “you’re too early” feedback? Share your story below! #StartupJourney #Fundraising #InvestorRelations #GrowthStrategy #aSquareCapital

One of the biggest challenges for founders is accurately predicting the timeline for building a strong foundation. Factors like product-market fit, fundraising, and pivoting based on market needs can significantly impact the journey. Here are 5-7 considerations for founders navigating this path: 1. Embrace Uncertainty: The startup landscape is dynamic. Be prepared to pivot and adapt as needed. 2. Prioritize Product-Market Fit: Continuously validate your product with your target market. 3. Build a Strong Network: Relationships can be invaluable for fundraising, mentorship, and customer acquisition. 4. Secure Adequate Funding: While it's important to raise funds, avoid diluting your equity too early. 5. Focus on Customer Acquisition: Building a loyal customer base is essential for long-term success. 6. Measure and Iterate: Track key metrics and use data to inform your decisions. 7. Foster a Positive Company Culture: A strong company culture can attract and retain top talent. 8. Build a Support Group of Founders: Surround yourself with other founders who understand the challenges and can offer support, advice, and camaraderie. Remember, building a lasting company is a marathon, not a sprint. By focusing on these key considerations, you can lay a solid foundation for your startup's future." Enjoy this? Repost to your network and follow Ginger Menown for more. https://lnkd.in/gWbc8a_P Want to grow a profitable business and design your dream life? Book a discovery call with me at https://lnkd.in/gaJqNAwQ Join thousands who follow Insights & Inspiration Newsletter lnkd.in/gvPEGJcb

In Silicon Valley, there's a common quote by Michael Colt: “Ask for money, get advice. Ask for advice, and you get money twice.” This saying holds true in many ways and is a crucial insight for any founder's journey. I'm a firm believer in involving smarter people in your company as early as possible. However, early-stage startups often lack the resources to attract top talent. So, what should you do? I advise every founder to research and find the best advisors in their industry or field of expertise and reach out to them! Most successful people are open to listening, especially if they are passionate about your mission and capable of contributing with their expertise and network. Securing an advisor can benefit your journey in several ways. First, they provide an external perspective on your business and offer guidance based on their experiences. Second, they open their networks to help you reach your next milestone, whether that involves introductions to investors, potential partners, or new customers. Here are my top seven tips for finding, identifying, and working with a top advisor for your startup: 1. Identify Key Areas for Guidance: Determine where your company needs the most help. For example, at Guru, I identified the need for guidance in product development, the creator economy, and fundraising.    2. Research Experts: Look for top founders, executives, and other experts in these key areas. Don’t hesitate to reach out; people are often more receptive than you might expect.    3. Assess Compatibility: Have at least two meetings with each advisory candidate to ensure mutual value and a good fit.    4. Set Meeting Cadence: Agree on a meeting frequency for the first six months, then reassess. It takes time to understand the full value an advisor can provide.    5. Equity Compensation: The average equity option distribution for advisors ranges from 0.25% to 1%, with higher percentages reserved for those who can significantly impact your company.    6. Vesting Periods: Always include a vesting period in your agreement, typically two years with no cliff, to allow for flexibility as your company's needs evolve.    7. Create a Communication Channel: Set up a chat group with all your advisors to facilitate idea exchange, seek help, and build a supportive sounding board. I hope these tips help you build a robust and healthy advisory board to guide your company in the right direction. I'm deeply grateful for the phenomenal advisors at Guru. A big shoutout to Kash Baghaei, Daniel Brackins, Renee Janda, MBA, Keziah Pantelides, Mark Rabe, Brian Freeman 👋, Pete Sena and Nathan Klingseis for their invaluable support to me and the team.