Playlist · 6 episodes
The 6 best episodes on pitch decks, waitlists, and investor outreach
These episodes from Next Round Ready cover how founders approach investors, from building a waitlist that proves demand to structuring a pitch deck that holds attention. Several episodes focus on investor outreach, including why mass cold emailing tends to underperform and how warm introductions and thesis-aligned targeting work instead. Each summary notes the specific tactics and points the host covers so you can judge which episode fits your fundraising stage.
Episode 1· 8 min· Not started
Why Your Investor List Might Be Killing Your Fundraise — And How to Fix It
The host argues that compiling a long investor list and sending mass outreach can hurt a fundraise, and proposes a strategic, thesis-aligned targeting method instead. The episode covers investor fit and thesis, the value of a methodical fundraising process, and how AI can help identify strategic connections. It is a practical starting point for founders planning their investor outreach.
Episode 2· 8 min· Not started
Why Warm Intros are Non Negotiable
The host explains why cold emailing investors is largely ineffective, drawing on interviews with investors. He lays out practical steps for reaching investors through warm introductions and existing networks, especially on LinkedIn. He also advises founders to focus on a specific area of expertise and make it easy for connections to help them.
Episode 3· 14 min· Not started
Building Effective Warm Intros: The Strategic Guide for Founders and Investors
This episode explains how to use warm introductions to build lasting investor relationships rather than one-off contacts. Topics include the difference between making a connection and building a relationship, the role of events in networking, and how to maintain investor contact over time. It also covers the value of scouts and analysts who often influence investment decisions.
Episode 4· 14 min· Not started
Venture Capital Warm Intro System
This episode addresses the low response rate of co-emailing venture capitalists and the difficulty founders have with investor outreach. The host shares a process for getting warm introductions to investors, based on his experience building an investor network. It is aimed at founders preparing to raise venture capital.
Episode 5· 11 min· Not started
Why Decks Usually Fail
The episode examines why pitch decks often lose investors after the second slide, based on feedback from over 100 investor meetings. It shows where presentations typically break down and how to restructure slides to keep investors engaged and improve retention. It also discusses using AI in deck creation and alternatives to slides that investors commonly reject.
Episode 6· 10 min· Not started
Waitlist Playbook
This episode explains how founders can use a waitlist to test whether the market wants their product, collecting names, emails, and even payments. It covers why investors care about waitlist traction, the value of early feedback, and steps for launching a waitlist. The host also shares a personal waitlist example and how founders in different sectors can use the approach to reach product-market fit faster.
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