HOW TO MAKE FRIENDS BEFORE FUNDRAISING

Summary from the TLDR Founders newsletter

Most founders start meeting investors the week they start raising, so every coffee turns into a pitch. A former YC partner explains how to build those relationships months ahead so the eventual raise is fast and competitive. The list is bigger than founders think, since more than 4,700 Series A rounds since 2023 were led by about 2,400 different funds. One tactic is to script every intro ("we're not raising, and I want to meet you because of the company you backed") so the meeting doesn't accidentally start a process.