Watch: What is the best way for founders to connect with investors?

What is the best way to connect with investors?

Jason Ming, Cofounder & Managing Partner, Trampoline
I’m a massive fan of coffee chats. Not having to sell what you’re doing, but typically just asking for a coffee chat or asking for advice, as opposed to trying to sell and pitch what your company is.

Mark Zmarzly, Startup & Venture Capital Business Development Manager, Amazon Web Services (AWS)
When you ask for advice, you might get money. When you ask for money, you might get advice. I think it’s always just about building relationships. Look for different ways to interact with investors, especially when you’re not raising. Then you already have those relationships with the venture capital funds or the investors, so they don’t meet you for the very first time when you’re asking for money. They’ve already seen you in your element.

Thea Ngo, Investment Analyst, Archangel Ventures
Get a referral through a portfolio company that has done really well for the Venture Capital Fund or meet them at an event like this.

Noel Paul, Director, Investments, Breakthrough Victoria
It’s not one reach out and you suddenly pitch. It’s an ongoing engagement and a relationship-building exercise that might take months or years even.

Paul Naphtali, Cofounder & Managing Partner, Rampersand
And I would suggest not just focusing on which firm but also which individual best suits what you’re trying to raise and what company you’re trying to build.