CEO · Template · Beginner · Saves 30+ hours
VC Research Template
A template for researching potential investors.
What's included
- Investment criteria analysis
- Portfolio analysis
- Partner identification
- Thesis alignment
- Connection mapping
Best used when
- Building investor list
- Preparing for meetings
- Finding right fit investors
- Strategic targeting
The template
The Template
RESEARCH PHILOSOPHY
Why VC Research Matters
VC RESEARCH PHILOSOPHY
WHY RESEARCH MATTERS:
☐ Right investors accelerate success
☐ Wrong investors slow you down
☐ Fit determines relationship quality
☐ Research shows professionalism
☐ Preparation improves meetings
☐ Time invested saves time wasted
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES:
1. FIT ASSESSMENT
☐ Do they invest in your stage?
☐ Do they know your space?
☐ Is check size right?
☐ Any conflicts?
2. PARTNER IDENTIFICATION
☐ Who is the right partner?
☐ What's their focus?
☐ What resonates with them?
☐ How to get warm intro?
3. MEETING PREPARATION
☐ What questions will they ask?
☐ What portfolio can you reference?
☐ What thesis angles work?
☐ What concerns might they have?
RESEARCH SOURCES:
☐ Firm website and blog
☐ Crunchbase / PitchBook
☐ Partner Twitter/LinkedIn
☐ Portfolio company founders
☐ Other founders who pitched
☐ Press coverage
COMPREHENSIVE RESEARCH
Complete VC Research Template
VC RESEARCH TEMPLATE
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FIRM PROFILE
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BASIC INFORMATION:
Firm name: _______________________________________________
Website: _______________________________________________
HQ Location: _______________________________________________
Founded: _______________________________________________
AUM: $__________________
CURRENT FUND:
Fund name: _______________________________________________
Fund size: $__________________
Fund vintage: _______________________________________________
Estimated dry powder: $__________________
Deployment pace: _____ investments/year
INVESTMENT STRATEGY:
Stage focus: ☐ Pre-seed ☐ Seed ☐ A ☐ B ☐ Growth
Primary sectors: _______________________________________________
Secondary sectors: _______________________________________________
Check size range: $_________ - $_________
Sweet spot: $_________________
Lead preference: ☐ Lead ☐ Co-lead ☐ Follow
Board seats: ☐ Always ☐ Usually ☐ Sometimes ☐ Rarely
GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS:
Primary markets: _______________________________________________
Remote-friendly: ☐ Yes ☐ No
International: ☐ Yes ☐ No
═══════════════════════════════════════
PORTFOLIO ANALYSIS
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PORTFOLIO SIZE:
Total portfolio companies: _____
Active portfolio: _____
Exited: _____
YOUR SECTOR:
Companies in your space: _____
Examples: _______________________________________________
Investment pattern: ☐ Heavy ☐ Moderate ☐ Light ☐ None
COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS:
Direct competitors: ☐ Yes ☐ No
If yes: _______________________________________________
Conflict risk: ☐ High ☐ Medium ☐ Low
RECENT INVESTMENTS (Last 12 months):
1. _______________________________________________
2. _______________________________________________
3. _______________________________________________
4. _______________________________________________
5. _______________________________________________
PATTERN OBSERVATIONS:
Common themes: _______________________________________________
Stage progression: _______________________________________________
Sector depth: _______________________________________________
═══════════════════════════════════════
PARTNER PROFILES
═══════════════════════════════════════
TARGET PARTNER:
Name: _______________________________________________
Title: _______________________________________________
Email: _______________________________________________
LinkedIn: _______________________________________________
Twitter: _______________________________________________
BACKGROUND:
Prior companies: _______________________________________________
Prior VC experience: _______________________________________________
Education: _______________________________________________
Notable achievements: _______________________________________________
INVESTMENT FOCUS:
Primary thesis: _______________________________________________
Sectors: _______________________________________________
Stage preference: _______________________________________________
Recent investments: _______________________________________________
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP:
Blog posts: _______________________________________________
Podcast appearances: _______________________________________________
Twitter themes: _______________________________________________
Key beliefs: _______________________________________________
ENGAGEMENT STYLE:
Communication: ☐ Email ☐ Twitter ☐ LinkedIn
Responsiveness: ☐ Fast ☐ Moderate ☐ Slow
Preferred approach: ☐ Warm intro ☐ Cold OK
ALTERNATIVE PARTNERS:
Partner 2: _______________________________________________
Focus: _______________________________________________
Partner 3: _______________________________________________
Focus: _______________________________________________
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FIT ASSESSMENT
═══════════════════════════════════════
CRITERIA CHECK:
☐ Stage match (confirmed)
☐ Sector match (confirmed)
☐ Check size match (confirmed)
☐ Geography match (confirmed)
☐ No competitive conflicts (confirmed)
☐ Partner interest likely (estimated)
FIT CONCERNS:
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
OVERALL FIT RATING: ___/10
Investor Fit Scorecard
| Criteria | Weight | Score (1-10) | Weighted | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stage fit | 20% | |||
| Sector expertise | 25% | |||
| Partner fit | 20% | |||
| Check size fit | 15% | |||
| Track record | 10% | |||
| Reputation/brand | 10% | |||
| TOTAL | 100% |
Connection Mapping
CONNECTION MAPPING
TARGET: [Partner] at [Firm]
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1ST DEGREE CONNECTIONS
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Direct relationship:
☐ Have met: _______________
☐ Email contact: _______________
☐ Social connection: _______________
Portfolio founders:
☐ [Company 1]: _______________ Relationship: _____
☐ [Company 2]: _______________ Relationship: _____
☐ [Company 3]: _______________ Relationship: _____
Other partners at firm:
☐ [Partner name]: _______________ via: _______________
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2ND DEGREE CONNECTIONS
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Through investors:
☐ [Investor]: knows [Partner] via _______________
☐ [Investor]: knows [Partner] via _______________
Through founders:
☐ [Founder]: pitched [Firm] - outcome: _______________
☐ [Founder]: portfolio company - can intro: _______________
Through advisors/board:
☐ [Name]: connection to _______________
☐ [Name]: connection to _______________
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PATH ANALYSIS
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Best path: _______________________________________________
Why: _______________________________________________
Backup path: _______________________________________________
Why: _______________________________________________
Cold outreach viability: ☐ Good ☐ Possible ☐ Unlikely
Frequently asked questions
What is the VC Research Template?
A template for researching potential investors.
Who is the VC Research Template for?
It is built for CEOs and their teams working on Fundraising. The AI coach adapts it to your company, stage, and goals.
How long does the VC Research Template take to use?
It saves roughly 30+ hours versus building from scratch. Our AI coach can tailor the template to your situation in minutes, then hand you a step-by-step plan.
Is the VC Research Template free?
Yes. You can read the full template and start getting coached through it for free. Sign in to save your tailored version and track your next steps.
How does the AI coach help with the VC Research Template?
The coach teaches you the framework, asks a few questions about your business, tailors the template to you, and gives you measurable next steps to execute.