I’ll tell you a secret most founders don’t realize:
80% of fundraising momentum is built before you pitch.
Not in the deck.
It’s built in the quiet months before, through one underrated weapon: your investor update.
Why updates matter When VCs say “keep me posted,” 90% of founders… don’t.
Here’s the thing:patterns.
And your updates are how they see the pattern: traction, execution, resilience.
Good updates = build trust.
The 4-part investor update that works Keep it one page . No novels. No decks. No walls of text.
Highlights (top 3 wins since last update)Lowlights (yes, include them)Key metrics (consistent format every time)Asks (specific, simple, bold)Timing is everything Existing investors: Monthly.Prospective investors: Quarterly until you raise → then switch to monthly during the raise.Momentum isn’t built in one shot. It’s the accumulation of touchpoints.
Subscribe to get my Ultimate investor update template + examples from founders who nailed it
[FREE INVESTOR UPDATE TEMPLATE]
Use my template: 🪄 Just copy this notion doc .
The Framework: 1. Message from the CEO Kick it off with a quick, personalized greeting .
2. TL;DR Think of this as the headline news.
In 3-5 bullet points, summarize:
Wins (the good stuff). Challenges (the not-so-good stuff). Priorities (what’s next). Keep it short and punchy. Investors are busy, so make it easy for them to skim.
3. Wins (Highlights) What’s working?
Examples:
🚀 Hit $100K MRR for the first time. 💼 Hired a VP of Sales to drive revenue growth. 🛠 Launched Version 2.0 of our product. 🤝 Signed a major partnership with [insert big-name company]. This is your time to shine.
4. Challenges & Learnings (Lowlights) Let’s not sugarcoat it. Every founder faces roadblocks.
Be honest about what didn’t go well and—more importantly—what you’re doing to fix it.
Examples:
❌ Missed revenue targets by 15%. 📉 Churn rate spiked after a pricing change. 🔧 Product delays caused by supply chain issues. Investors appreciate transparency, and it helps them trust you more.
5. Priorities for Next Quarter What are your top 3-5 priorities for the next quarter?
Examples:
Scale to 1,000 active users. Expand into two new markets. Finalize Series A fundraising. This helps investors align with your vision and stay focused on the big picture.
6. Key Metrics Time to get specific. Use charts or tables for clarity (if you have time).
Here’s what to include:
Revenue :Monthly or quarterly revenue, compared to the last period. Operating Expenses :Overheads, SG&A, and major cost drivers. Cash in Bank :How much runway do you have? Burn Rate :How much are you losing each month? Headcount :Total team size, compared to the last update. Active Users :Growth in user base (if applicable). Example:
Keep it crisp. Investors love data, but they hate fluff.
7. Shoutouts Give credit where it’s due.
Recognize:
Team members who crushed it. Investors who opened doors or made key intros. Example:
8. Asks This is critical . Don’t be shy—leverage your investors.
What do you need help with? Be specific and actionable .
Examples:
Intros to CFO candidates with SaaS experience.Advice on navigating enterprise sales. Feedback on go-to-market strategy. Make it as easy as possible for them to help.
9. Fundraising Update (if applicable) If you’re raising (or planning to), include:
Target amount. Progress so far. Timeline. Example:
Founder tools that will give you the ultimate unfair advantage:
📌 The Ultimate Investors List of Lists (12,000 VCs, FOs, Angels) The Investor List No One Talks About: 140 Family Offices 40 pitch decks that built Unicorns (how Airbnb, Coinbase, Canva got funded) The Ultimate Notion Data Room (all key docs you’ll EVER need) The Most Successful Investor Update Template The Only Finance Tracker Your Startup Needs SAFE Note Dilution Calculator & Cap Table Builder Co-Founder Agreement Templates + Legal Clauses You Can't Forget
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