Specialist angels
Operators, founders and executives who understand the product category, channel or technical risk.
Best useEarly evidence, introductions and practical operating support.Fundraising field guide
Do not search for “investors.” Search for a matching investment thesis.
For a physical product, fit depends on stage, cheque, geography, hardware appetite, channel, technical risk and the milestone this round will buy. A smaller, researched list beats a large generic database.
Before outreach
Write the round in one inspectable sentence.
“We are raising €X to move product version Y from evidence state A to launch milestone B in first market C, with D months of runway.”
Build the target list
Score the fit before asking for the meeting.
FieldEvidence to captureReject when
StageFirst cheque and follow-on behaviourThey invest later than your proof level
ChequeTypical initial and reserve sizeYour round is immaterial or too large
ThesisCategory, deep-tech / hardware appetite, business modelPortfolio and writing show no fit
GeographyEntity and market restrictionsMandate excludes the company
ValueIntroductions, manufacturing, hiring, channel, regulationThe only fit is available cash
TimingFund status and current deployment activityNo active capital or partner attention
Four search channels
Use the channel that matches the milestone.
VC is one financing model, not the default answer to every capital need.
Seed and hardware funds
Funds whose thesis, cheque, geography, stage and ownership model match the round.
Best useA scalable case and a milestone that changes the next valuation.Strategic investors
Corporates with a relevant channel, supply chain, component, manufacturing or market interest.
Best useCommercial leverage, but longer cycles and strategic constraints.Public and blended routes
EIC, national programmes, EU-backed intermediaries and suitable grant or equity instruments.
Best useNon-dilutive or patient capital when eligibility and stage genuinely fit.A four-week search sprint
Research, qualify, connect, learn.
- Week 1Build 40–60 researched names.
Use portfolio pages, partner writing, founder references, public programmes and trusted networks. Record why each name fits.
- Week 2Prioritise 15–20 warm paths.
Map portfolio founders, advisers, customers, suppliers, accelerators and professional networks who can make a relevant introduction.
- Week 3Run a small first wave.
Use early conversations to test the thesis, round size, regulatory story and evidence gaps before contacting the best-fit names.
- Week 4Update by evidence.
Track responses, objections, next steps and referral paths. Change the target list or milestone when the pattern—not one opinion—demands it.
Outreach anatomy
Make the first message easy to forward.
State the company and customer problem, the product evidence, the round and milestone, why this investor fits, and the specific next step. Attach or link only what supports that decision.
Subject[Company] · [proof] · raising [round] for [milestone]BodyFive short paragraphs: relevance, problem, evidence, round, request.Follow-upOne material update or a clear close—not repeated “checking in.”
Public routes and support
Use official networks where they fit.
EEN supports investor readiness and introductions. EU portals expose funding programmes and EU-backed financial intermediaries. EIC is selective and intended for eligible, high-risk innovation—not a generic seed substitute.
Prepare the evidence behind the story
Investors will test the route after they like the pitch.
Use the due-diligence guide to build the product, market, regulatory and capital evidence behind the milestone.
Prepare for due diligenceRead the current Funding Pulse