Most founders send investors empty meeting requests in conference apps, and with 50 to 100 requests per event, those get ignored. To get a meeting, check that your case fits the investor’s focus, send a short message that explains what you do and why it fits, follow up via LinkedIn or email, and use the meeting to secure a follow-up.
Recently, I’ve been to the Bits&Pretzels (B&P) Conference in Munich.
As with many other tech conferences these days, the B&P has a mobile app helping attendants find others to meet with and schedule meetings with them.
Investors attending an event are usually bombarded by meeting requests from founders via these apps–which is totally understandable.
However, the B&P example showed me again that most founders need to be more thoughtful when sending these requests and want to convince an investor to meet with them.
Here is a meeting request message I got before the B&P:
He wants to meet and have a quick conversation. That’s it. No additional information.
If you think that this is an exception–unfortunately not. This is one of many messages I got like this.
Founders need to empathize more with the investors here:
Depending on the conference size, they can quickly get 50 or even 100 meeting requests.
Nobody has the time to go through all of them, check what the founders are doing on the app, on LinkedIn, on their websites, etc., and then decide if a meeting might make sense.
If you don’t provide them with succinct but enough information about why you want to meet and, most importantly, what’s in for them, you lose. You can’t just push the request button randomly and force the investor to do the research and invest the required efforts to decide whether a meeting makes sense for them.
So, here is what I’d do:
- First of all, it starts with the proper targeting. Clicking that meeting request button in the event app is so easy. But you must first understand if there is a fit between your case and the investor’s investment focus. Half of the requests I usually get are out of my scope, and a quick research and, most often, just checking my profile in the event app would have revealed it.
- Send a succinct message that (a) summarizes quickly what you are doing, (b) ideally generates some first FOMO, and (c) signals to me clearly that you sent me the request because the case fits nicely into my focus and my expertise.
- Send a LinkedIn request with a short message to the investor referring to your request in the event app. Be aware that many investors, especially the more senior ones, are either not using the app or looking into it. So, it might also help to send the message you crafted for #2 via LI, too.
- If you have the email address of the investor, you could also send them an email with the message you crafted for #2 and just send a LI contact request with a short note referring to your message in the event app or via email. Never just send a request on LI without a note that explains the context.
- It’s loud and hectic at conferences. When you meet the investor, ensure that you focus on pitching your case succinctly by concentrating on just one goal: Convincing the investor to schedule a follow-up meeting with you after the event.
Good luck!
Frequently asked questions
Why do investors ignore meeting requests at conferences?
Depending on the conference size, an investor can get 50 or even 100 meeting requests. Nobody has time to research every founder, so requests without succinct information about why to meet and what is in it for the investor lose.
What should a meeting request to an investor before an event include?
A short summary of what you do, ideally some first FOMO, and a clear signal that you chose this investor because your case fits their focus and expertise.
Should I also contact investors on LinkedIn before an event?
Yes. Many investors, especially senior ones, do not use event apps, so send a LinkedIn request with a short note or an email with your message. Never send a LinkedIn request without a note that explains the context.
What is the goal of a short meeting with an investor at a conference?
Conferences are loud and hectic, so pitch your case succinctly with one goal: convincing the investor to schedule a follow-up meeting after the event.
