Raising an early stage (Pre-Seed/Seed/A) round? I'll help make some intros. I like to make sure no great deals are prevented from getting done, especially during the peak season when inboxes are flooded. And we’re back again for this month's edition :) I made 250 intros for founders raising last month, and doing the process again this week to help some more. Doing my next experiment for 30.10 hours (ends 10/9, 6 pm ET): *Read this closely* 1) Email *all of*: deck link+blurb+traction+round size+round terms (if established)+3 reasons your company is compelling (the more factual/data-based the better, could be traction, team, or other, and put in it the third person, not first. Eg "their traction" vs. "our traction")+your LinkedIn link+company URL+company HQ location+a TLDR pro + TLDR con (in third person again) to [email protected], hard deadline tomorrow 10/9 at 6 pm ET. 2) Title must be *exactly*: "30.10-hour experiment 2026-10” and must include *all* the above elements for consideration. 3) I’ll share *at least* the top 3+ companies w/ 100+ VCs next week. Last time I did this, I got 39 investor intros for the founders I shared. (Last year, I invested in 2 companies that originally came to me through one of these challenges. And at least two companies that came to me got a check from LPs of mine this year.) I cannot promise a reply to every person who emails me - but I read every fully detailed email that comes in.

Raising a Pre-Seed/Seed/A round? I'll help make some intros. I like to make sure no great deals are prevented from getting done, especially during the Labor Day Weekend slowdown, and we’re back again for this month's edition :) I made 337 intros for founders raising last month, and doing the process again this week to help some more. Doing my next experiment for 30.09 hours (ends 9/5, 11:30 pm ET): *Read this closely* 1) Email *all of*: deck link+blurb+traction+round size+round terms (if established)+3 reasons your company is compelling (the more factual/data-based the better, could be traction, team, or other, and put in it the third person, not first. Eg "their traction" vs. "our traction")+your LinkedIn link+company URL+company HQ location+a TLDR pro + TLDR con (in third person again) to [email protected], hard deadline tomorrow 9/5 at 11:30 pm ET. 2) Title must be *exactly*: "30.09-hour experiment 2026-9” and must include *all* the above elements for consideration. 3) I’ll share at least the top 3+ companies w/ 100+ VCs next week. Last time I did this, I got 41 investor intros for the founders I shared. (Last year, I invested in 2 companies that originally came to me through one of these challenges. And at least one company that came to me got a check from an LP of mine.) I cannot promise a reply to every person who emails me - but I read every email that comes in with all parts submitted.

Raising a pre-seed/seed round? I'll help make some intros. I like to make sure no great deals are prevented from getting done, especially during the August slowdown, and we’re back again for this month's edition :) I made 246 intros for founders raising last month, and doing the process again this week to help some more. Doing my next experiment for 30.08 hours (ends 8/7, 11:30 pm ET): *Read this closely* 1) Email *all of*: deck link+blurb+traction+round size+round terms (if established)+3 reasons your company is compelling (the more factual/data-based the better, could be traction, team, or other, and put in it the third person, not first. Eg "their traction" vs. "our traction")+your LinkedIn link+company URL+company HQ location+a TLDR pro + TLDR con (in third person again) to [email protected], hard deadline tomorrow 8/7 at 11:30 pm ET. 2) Title must be *exactly*: "30.08-hour experiment 2026-8” and must include *all* the above elements for consideration. 3) I’ll share at least the top 3+ companies w/ 100+ VCs next week. Last time I did this, I got 32 investor intros for the founders I shared. (Last year, I invested in 2 companies that originally came to me through one of these challenges. And at least one company that came to me got a check from an LP of mine.) I cannot promise a reply to every person who emails me - but I read every email that comes in with all parts submitted.

Raising a pre-seed/seed round? I'll help make some intros. I like to make sure no great deals are prevented from getting done, especially during the summer, and we’re back again for the July edition :) I made 227 intros for founders raising last month, and doing the process again this week to help some more. Doing my next experiment for 30.07 hours (ends 7/11, 10 pm ET): *Read this closely* 1) Email *all of*: deck link+blurb+traction+round size+round terms (if established)+3 reasons your company is compelling (the more factual/data-based the better, could be traction, team, or other, and put in it the third person, not first. Eg "their traction" vs. "our traction")+your LinkedIn link+company URL+company HQ location+a TLDR pro + TLDR con (in third person again) to [email protected], hard deadline tomorrow at 10 pm ET. 2) Title must be *exactly*: "30.07-hour experiment 2026-7” and must include *all* the above elements for consideration. 3) I’ll share at least the top 3 companies w/ 100+ VCs next week. Last time I did this, I got 36 investor intros for the founders I shared. (Last year, I invested in 2 companies that originally came to me through one of these challenges. And at least one company that came to me got a check from an LP of mine.) I cannot promise a reply to every person who emails me - but I read every email that comes in with all parts submitted.

Raising a pre-seed/seed round? I'll help make some intros. I like to make sure no great deals are prevented from getting done, and we’re back again for the June edition :) I made 207 intros for founders raising last month, and doing the process again this week to help some more. Doing my next experiment for 30.06 hours (ends 6/13, 11:59 pm ET): *Read this closely* 1) Email *all of*: deck (link is preferred over PDF)+blurb+traction+round size+round terms (if established)+3 reasons your company is compelling (the more factual/data-based the better, could be traction, team, or other, and put in it the third person, not first. Eg "their traction" vs. "our traction")+your LinkedIn link+company URL+company HQ location+a TLDR pro + TLDR con (in third person again) to [email protected], hard deadline tomorrow at 11:59 pm ET. 2) Title must be *exactly*: "30.06-hour experiment 2026-6” and must include *all* the above elements for consideration. 3) I’ll share at least the top 3 companies w/ 100+ VCs next week. Last time I did this, I got 31 investor intros for the founders I shared. (Last year, I invested in 2 companies that originally came to me through one of these challenges. And at least one company that came to me got a check from an LP of mine.) I cannot promise a reply to every person who emails me - but I read every email that comes in with all parts submitted.

Hosting the 4th annual LP-GP gathering next Thursday in NYC (6/4 4 pm - 6 pm) during tech week. I am bringing together some of my active LP friends with some of my favorite GPs - we have a few dozen LPs that have invested across multiple funds, and a dozen or so GPs with whom I love to collaborate. If you would like to join on the LP side, shoot me an email at [email protected] with the title "LP-GP Gathering 6/4 - LP," and include a sentence about your level of activity (number of funds invested in) and mandate (sector, stage, etc if any criteria). Open to FOs, FoFs, Institutions, and individuals actively deploying into funds. If you would like to join on the GP side, send me an email with the title "LP-GP Gathering 6/4 - GP," and a sentence or two about your fund. Open to venture GPs actively running funds that might be interesting for the LPs.

Raising a pre-seed/seed round? I'll help make some intros. I like to make sure no great deals are prevented from getting done, and we’re back again for the May edition :) I made 271 intros for founders raising last month, and doing the process again this week to help some more. Doing my next experiment for 30.05 hours (ends 5/9, 9 pm ET): *Read this closely* 1) Email *all of*: deck (link is preferred over PDF)+blurb+traction+round size+round terms (if established)+3 reasons your company is compelling (the more factual/data-based the better, could be traction, team, or other, and put in it the third person, not first. Eg "their traction" vs. "our traction")+your LinkedIn link+company URL+company HQ location+a TLDR pro + TLDR con (in third person again) to [email protected], hard deadline tomorrow at 9 pm ET. 2) Title must be *exactly*: "30.05-hour experiment 2026-5” and must include *all* the above elements for consideration. 3) I’ll share at least the top 3 companies w/ 100+ VCs next week. Last time I did this, I got 32 investor intros for the founders I shared. And I am diligencing one company that reached out to me last challenge, as well as sharing them with my LPs. (Last year, I invested in 2 companies that originally came to me through one of these challenges. And at least one company that came to me got a check from an LP of mine.) I cannot promise a reply to every person who emails me - but I read every email that comes in with all parts submitted.

Raising a pre-seed/seed round? I'll help make some intros. I like to make sure no great deals are prevented from getting done, and we’re back again for the April edition :) I made 332 intros for founders raising last month, and doing the process again this week to help some more. Doing my next experiment for 30.04 hours (ends 4/21, 6 pm ET): *Read this closely* 1) Email *all of*: deck (link is preferred over PDF)+blurb+traction+round size+round terms (if established)+3 reasons your company is compelling (the more factual/data-based the better, could be traction, team, or other, and put in it the third person, not first. Eg "their traction" vs. "our traction")+your LinkedIn link+company URL+company HQ location+a TLDR pro + TLDR con (in third person again) to [email protected], hard deadline tomorrow at 10:00 pm ET. 2) Title must be *exactly*: "30.04-hour experiment 2026-4” and must include *all* the above elements for consideration. 3) I’ll share at least the top 3 companies w/ 100+ VCs next week. Last time I did this, I got 36 investor intros for the founders I shared. And I know of at least one investment committed from the challenge. Last year, I invested in 2 companies that originally came to me through one of these challenges :) I cannot promise a reply to every person who emails me - but I read every email that comes in with all parts submitted.

A quick update from the March deal flow experiment: 36 intros requested by investors to the companies I share with them.

Many of the best pre-seed deals I've seen come from ecosystems most investors aren't plugged into yet. So we're building the room that changes that. Generous Ventures and Side Door Ventures are hosting our first collaborative Pre-Seed Investor Summit - May 13-14 in New York City. 100 curated investors and LPs. Two days. 80% investors, 20% LPs. 1:1 double opt-in matchmaking, shared meals, a live version of our longstanding deal flow sharing event, and a room deliberately built across ecosystems. We already have confirmed attendees from New York, San Francisco, LA, Austin, Miami, Chicago, and several other cities across the country. Here's what you attendees can expect to walk away with: -Real relationships with pre-seed investors from ecosystems outside your own -First looks at deal flow before it hits the main circuit -Genuine help for your portfolio companies through the people in the room -LP or GP relationships you didn't know you were missing I've been running monthly Pre-Seed Deal Flow community gatherings for over six years. One thing I keep seeing: great companies emerge out of ecosystems long before they reach the larger VC circuits. The investors who catch them early tend to have a friend in Austin who knows a founder in Miami that nobody on the coasts has heard of yet. That cross-regional connectivity is where a lot of the real deal flow lives - and it doesn't happen by accident. Pre-seed is still pretty siloed in each city. Investors who should know each other often don't. This summit is about changing that - and it's the natural next step from what we've already been building together. There will also be some surprises and a "Generosity Session," built around the idea that the best rooms tend to be the most generous ones. This is a community event more than a conference. This event is for investors (FOs, active angels, VCs, and LPs) that have a deep appreciation for the early stages. If we don't already know each other, I want to make sure you have an opportunity to apply to be here with us. Apply below - we'll get back to you within 72 hours if you are approved. forms.gle/JcBzRD2qcVuVhDmR9

🪄 NYC Magic and mentalism event 3/25 Co-hosting a curated evening for Fintech & Crypto Funders and Founders on 3/25 in NYC - if you want to join, shoot me an email at [email protected] with the title "Magic/Mentalism event 3/25 in NYC" and a sentence about your firm or startup. Will add a few folks to the group for a fun evening :)

One question I’ve started asking founders more often is: What is your non negotiable? Not the goal. The thing that will not bend. For some founders it is product quality. For others it is growth rate. Sometimes it is valuation. Sometimes it is customer happiness at all costs. Sometimes it is “we are not selling unless it is a billion dollar outcome.” Non negotiables are interesting because they quietly shape every downstream decision in a company. I have seen founders who refuse to fire customers even when those customers burn enormous team time. I have seen companies where no meaningful product decision can happen without the CEO, which works until the CEO becomes the bottleneck. I have seen teams hold out for a unicorn exit when a very real $200M outcome was on the table. None of these are inherently wrong. Every company has something it protects above all else. But the non negotiable becomes the operating system for the company. It dictates tradeoffs, pace, and sometimes the ceiling of what is possible. One of the more interesting exercises for founders is simply being explicit about it. What is the thing your company will not compromise on?

Early heads up: next deal flow challenge is coming this week on Thursday, founders keep an eye out.

Building an internal AI stack is table stakes for venture firms these days. Heard from GPs consistently this week on the topic: 1) Most funds I talked with are shifting their workflow from GPT toward Claude for memos and structured documents. It tends to output documents that actually resemble something you'd send to partners or LPs. ChatGPT and Gemini are still seen as strong for research and real-time information, but Claude seems to be winning on formatting, long-form structure, and design. 2) Many firms are going further and building internal AI operating systems for their fund. Hiring an infrastructure engineer to wire together a backend that handles things like deal memo drafting, deck analysis, portfolio tracking, partner meeting notes, and quarterly LP updates. Essentially a structured brain for the firm’s knowledge and workflow. 3) LPs notice who has operational leverage and who doesn’t. Funds that can move faster on diligence, produce cleaner memos, and keep tighter institutional memory have an advantage.

A reminder today: the best solutions come when one keeps an open mind, listens, affirms what has been said, and thinks abundantly about options.

Noticings and learnings from Miami and Tampa last week: I spent last week in Florida, with plenty of conversations with founders, investors, and operators. 1. Florida is deeper in life sciences, biotech, and health tech than many people realize, along with pockets of deep tech and medical devices. It feels less like a few isolated companies and more like actual clusters forming. 2. The early stage culture feels notably collaborative. Founders and investors seem willing to help each other, share deal flow, and generally play nicely in the early rounds, and the baton passing to later stage southeast investors is smooth. 3. The founders building there increasingly feel intentional rather than bright-eyed optimistic. Covid Miami had more of a reputation as a place people could move and try something. What I’m seeing now are founders who chose Florida because it fits their sector, their network, or the type of company they want to build. Health tech in particular seems to have a real home there. Between hospitals, research institutions, and talent moving in or coming out of institutions there, founders have the right partners and customer access. 4. The geographic shift in venture is non-trivial. Last year the Southeast passed the Northeast in number of venture rounds under $100M. 5. Later stage capital rounds are still thinner locally, which makes sense given the ecosystem is younger. 6. On a personal note, my best performing investment ever (out of 100+) came out of Miami, and my most recent investment is also based there. So I admittedly like to keep an extra eye towards whats coming out of the region. Curious to see how it evolves over the next five to ten years.

In Austin Tuesday to Thursday. Who should I meet? I love meeting potential co-investors - (VCs, CVCs, angels, and FOs with whom I can share opportunities)

A pattern showing across very different arenas - Olympics, politics, and investing - accessibility is winning. The people, brands, and institutions that feel open, reachable, and human are consistently outperforming the ones that feel polished but distant. It used to be that perfection signaled strength. Now that distance begets disconnect. When distribution is social, when information is abundant, when everyone can compare options instantly, the edge moves to connection. People want to feel like they can see behind the curtain. They want leaders who respond. They want founders who ship in public. They want investors who explain how they think. Accessibility creates trust velocity. Some shifts I think that translates to for founders and investors (and frankly, people in general) 1. Open thinking > hidden thinking Share how you make decisions. Not just outcomes. 2. Process transparency > curated polish The build journey is part of the product. 3. Human consistency > episodic hype Reliability beats intensity. For founders: The most defensible brands I see today are not the loudest. They are the most reachable. Customers feel like they know them. Talent feels like they can DM them. Users feel heard. For VCs: The funds that will win the next decade won’t just have capital. They’ll have presence. Clear thinking. Public frameworks. Community density. They won’t hide behind mystique. They’ll build in public. Accessibility is not about oversharing. It’s about lowering the psychological barrier to engagement. In a world of infinite options, people choose the people they feel closest to.