Structuring Investor Updates
Communication protocols for founders.
The Most Neglected Networking Tool
The monthly investor update is the highest-leverage networking tool a founder possesses. It keeps your closest advocates informed and mobilizes their networks on your behalf. Yet, 60% of seed-stage founders stop sending them within 6 months.
The Standard Format
Consistency in format is more important than visual polish. Use plain text. Structure the update as follows:
- TL;DR: 2 sentences summarizing the month (good or bad).
- KPIs: Revenue, Burn Rate, Runway (months), Core Metric (e.g., active users).
- Highlights: Top 3 wins.
- Lowlights: Top 2 challenges (do not sugarcoat).
- Asks: Specific, actionable requests (e.g., "Intro to a VP of Sales at a B2B SaaS co doing $10M+ ARR").
Common Mistakes
- Sending a marketing newsletter instead of a candid operational update.
- Hiding bad news (runway issues, key departures).
- Making vague asks ("Let us know if you know anyone good").
FAQ
Should I include prospective investors on the update list? Yes, but create a segmented, sanitized version. Do not share sensitive financial data or burn rates with investors who have not signed an NDA or committed capital.
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