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Investor Introduction Request Email

Two short emails for a warm investor introduction: the ask to someone who knows the investor, and a forwardable note with traction, team and the raise.

Updated
  • fundraising
  • investor outreach
  • warm introduction
  • email
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About this document

An investor introduction request email asks someone who knows an investor to introduce you. This version has two parts: a short ask to that person, and a separate note about your company that they can forward to the investor without rewriting it.

Use the investor introduction request email when you have a mutual contact. Ask whether the connector is comfortable before they forward anything, and let them say no easily. For cold outreach to customers rather than investors, use the customer discovery outreach email. Everything in the forwardable note can travel further than you expect, so include only numbers you can back up and are happy to share.

How to fill it in

  1. Say why this investor. In the ask, name the investor and firm and give one specific reason they fit, such as a related investment or something they wrote.
  2. Write the forwardable note. Fill in one line on what you do, your strongest number with its growth, why now, the team and the raise. Keep it to one phone screen.
  3. Decide on the deck link. Add a deck link only if you are fine with it being forwarded. Many founders send the deck after the investor replies.
  4. Check and send. Run through the checklist at the end, then send the ask on its own and follow up once if you hear nothing in a week.
Investor Introduction Request Email

Investor Introduction Request

Two emails: a short ask to the person who knows the investor, and a note they can forward as it is

Most investors take meetings through someone they trust. Make the introduction easy: ask first whether they are comfortable making it, and give them a note they can forward without rewriting anything.

Email 1: The ask

To

[The person who knows the investor]

Subject

Intro to [investor name]?

Hi [first name],

We're raising a [$ amount] [seed] round for [company], and [investor name] at [firm] looks like a strong fit because [they invested in X / they write about Y / they back first-time founders in Z].

Would you be comfortable introducing us? If so, I've written a short note below that you can forward as it is. If you'd rather not, no problem at all.

Thanks,
[Your name]

Email 2: The forwardable note

Subject

[Company]: [what it does in five to eight words]

[Company] [does what, for whom. For example: automates prior authorization paperwork for specialty clinics].

  • Traction: [the one number that matters most, with its growth. For example: $42,000 in monthly revenue, up 3x in six months, from 19 clinics]

  • Why now: [the change that makes this possible or urgent now]

  • Team: [one line on why you are the people to build it]

  • Raising: [$ amount] on [a SAFE / priced round], [$ committed so far and from whom, if you can share it]

[Deck link, only if you are comfortable with it being forwarded.]

[Your name] · [Title] · [email]

Before you send

  • The ask names why this investor, not just any investor

  • The forwardable note reads well to someone who has never heard of you

  • Every number in it is current and one you can back up

  • It fits on one phone screen

Page 1 of 1292 words

Frequently asked questions

What is a double opt-in introduction?

A double opt-in introduction is one where the connector asks the investor first whether they want to meet you, and only introduces you if they agree. Many investors prefer it. The forwardable note in this email is what the connector sends when asking.

What is a forwardable email?

A forwardable email is a short, self-contained note about your company written so a contact can forward it as is. It saves the connector work and controls how your company is described. Keep it under 150 words with one clear number and the amount you are raising.

Should I attach my pitch deck to an intro request?

Not usually. A link you can control, or no deck until the investor replies, keeps your materials from circulating widely. If you include a link, use one that lets you see who opened it and turn off access later.

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