In this episode of The Funding Blueprint, Jason Jacobson discusses the most underrated relationship-building habits that successful entrepreneurs consistently practice to grow their companies, not just their networks. From his perspective, thought leadership and active community participation are vital. Entrepreneurs should focus on hosting events, participating in panels, and becoming mentors to establish themselves as knowledgeable leaders in their industry. Additionally, leveraging the connections of service providers like bankers, attorneys, and accountants can open doors to potential investors. Jacobson emphasizes that seeking advice rather than capital in initial interactions with investors can lay the groundwork for a strong relationship, influencing the outcome positively when the time for fundraising arrives.
Jacobson also addresses what separates a truly compelling story from a forgettable one, highlighting the importance of starting with a strong emotional narrative that connects personal or professional pain points to a larger problem. He identifies storytelling through personas in slide decks as an undervalued strategy, encouraging founders to use mock-ups and professional tools like Canva and Fiverr for impactful presentations. For finding investors aligned with their sector, stage, and values, Jacobson recommends using AI tools, investor databases, and personalized outreach while stressing the importance of introductions. By maintaining regular, post-investment communication, founders can turn investors into passionate advocates, crucial for ongoing relationship management.
In this episode you’ll learn more about: investor relationships, early-stage founders, capital raising, Jason Jacobson, networking tactics, thought leadership, storytelling and pitches, entrepreneur networking, fundraising strategies, investor communication, product-market fit, venture capital, investor advocacy, founder mentoring, startup ecosystem, investor outreach, AI tools for investors, professional presentations, investor databases, newsletter updates, investor alignment, mentor roles, Propellant Ventures, Founder Institute, service providers, pitch deck creation, startup scaling, founder guidance, capital partners, community participation, B2B startups, Midwest startup growth, startup challenges, post-investment communication, founder leadership, investor introductions, seed stage fund, startup mentorship, startup storytelling, investor thesis alignment
Credits:
Music track: "Cinematic Funk"
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Free Background Music by Yevhen Lokhmatov