Startup School
How to Use Our "VC Vault" to Get Big Checks
Over 100 VCs right at your fingertips... for free
You’ve scrolled through our VC Vault. You found one you love. You think they’ll get your vibe and your vision. Now it’s time to shoot your shot—strategically. Because a cold DM can hit...but only if it’s 🔥. Here’s what to do once you find a VC you want to reach out to (without sounding like every other founder in their inbox).
VCs see hundreds of pitches a month. You need to stand out without oversharing your life story. Here are a few tactics that we see work like a charm.
Flatter them.
No, we don't mean telling them you love their Linkedin photo. Mention why you picked them specifically. Did they invest in a company that aligns with your mission? Do they talk about a problem you’re solving? Did they recently do a Q&A that you saw online?
Any chance you can show a VC (or anyone who see's hundreds of anythings a month) that you're different is to lead with research: This isn't a ChatGPT script you sent to 100 VCs, this is an email thoughtfully crafted for them that includes specific things only someone who spent more than 2 minutes on Google could find.
Lead with traction, not potential.
Yes, your idea is genius. But what they really want is proof that it’s working. Highlight a key metric, user milestone, or real-world result. Save the full origin story for the call.
Think: “We’ve hit 1,000 paid users in 60 days with no marketing spend” > “We’re passionate about redefining community.”
Drop the deck, not the drama.
Attach a clean, well-designed deck or one-pager. No cryptic teasers. No “Let me know if you’re interested and I’ll send more.” They don’t chase. Make it easy for them to say yes—or forward you to someone who will.
OK - I got the meeting! Now what?
The Club Chasm VC Checklist
Pull up this list before you hop on that first call—because when you stay ready, you don’t have to get ready.
🔲 Your House Is in Order
A punchy 10–12 slide pitch deck
Clear problem, solution, and why now
Basic metrics: users, revenue (if any), growth
Market size + how you’ll win
🔲 Your Story Is Sharp
Why you and why this
Your unfair advantage (insight, team, traction)
A 1-line mission that slaps
🔲 You Know What You Want
Target raise + what it unlocks
Use of funds (be specific)
Clarity on whether you're pre-seed, seed, etc. and WHEN you plan on being profitable based on forecasts.
