Post Written by Vasily Alekseenko

The UK startup ecosystem might seem vast, but it’s not as big as it feels. For those who have been fundraising for a while, it can often feel like you’ve exhausted your network. However, this feeling of limitation is usually more of an illusion than a reality.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you expand your network of investors and find fresh faces to pitch:

LinkedIn Sales Navigator is an excellent tool for this. Yes, it’s on the pricier side, but there are ways to access it for free. You might find trial options or discover if you’re part of an accelerator that offers it as a benefit. A quick Google search for “how to use LinkedIn Sales Navigator for free” will likely yield some useful options. Even if you decide to go for the paid version, it’s often worth the investment for the valuable connections it can help you make.

Step 1: Identify your most significant connections. This means taking a close look at your network and picking out those key individuals who are well-connected and influential, and you obviously need to know them beyond just a connection on LinkedIn.

Step 2: One by one, use these significant connections as a gateway to others. Within their connections search for anyone who works in venture capital or mentions being an investor or angel investor.

Step 3: Filter the results to find individuals who are decision-makers, such as those at the director or principal level. These are the people who have the power to make investment decisions or introduce you to others who do.

Step 4: Next, filter these individuals by the number of their followers. Generally, the more followers they have, the more active and influential they are in the industry. This can be a good indicator of their reach and impact.

Step 5: From this filtered list, identify the top 10-15 people who stand out as the most promising connections for your startup.

Step 6: Share this list with a friend or connection who might be willing to help. Ask if they would be comfortable introducing you to a few of these individuals. Providing a forwardable email can make this request easier for them.

If your connection is strong and your request is reasonable, this approach should open up some new opportunities for pitching your startup.

Networking can sometimes feel like a never-ending task, but it’s an essential part of fundraising. Expanding your network may be just what you need to find new opportunities and investors who are interested in your vision.

Good luck with your fundraising efforts! Keep pushing, and remember, every new connection could be the one that takes your startup to the next level.

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