Ask the VC: What's the best material for the pre-pitch introduction to a VC?

best.

As someone who has successfully "cold called" many VC and won meetings, I can attest that the strongest intro is from someone they know or a recognized name or attorney at a large firm.

Many scrapping entrepreneurs may not have the luxury of the "intro" and I have found success in structuring an email as follows.

---- KEEP IT SHORT!!!
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I found you via [website, article, etc]. My company [describe product or service.

For example, we [describe what your product or service offers] by helping [describe your target segment or customer].

We have completed our [product status] and have customer commitments from [or some proof people will buy; sales traction is best]. We have also established [show you have built the company and not just an idea; you have billing, accounting, website, etc.].

I would like to meet with your firm at your earliest convenience to provide more information about what we are doing and to seek investment. [must ask for action and explain why are you writing] You can learn more about our company by visiting www.[yourwebsite].com and I can be reached via email or [contact details].

Thanks in advance,

[Your name, title in signature block below w/ contact details]

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One point of note, be sure you research the firm, who they've invested in and that you are writing to the correct partner (who has led investments in the same general sector). You can find this by viewing their portfolio companies on their website or joining sites like TheFunded.com to learn more insight.

The above email format has worked successfully with some of the largest VC in the world and I'm sure they would appreciate a concise format that gives them the initial information they look for. Play around with it and good luck!