## The Perfect Letter to an Investor

# Introduction

This article is a translation of insights shared by David Cohen, the iconic founder and director of TechStars—one of the top American startup accelerators—and a seasoned venture investor. He discusses the most exemplary letter he’s ever received from a startup founder seeking advice and investment.

As you might imagine, I receive a plethora of emails daily. In my last check, there were over 500 emails a day, with about 50 from people I don’t personally know. Many request advice or seek my attention for potential investment in their startups. It’s a common occurrence, and I strive to respond to all. However, one particular email stood out significantly. It didn’t sound like a typical “cold call” but was meticulously crafted and highly relevant. Here’s what it contained:

# The Standout Email

Subject: [Not Provided]

From: Glenn Farrant, CEO of CriticalArc

Email Content:

Hi [Name],

I have a question for you regarding a startup that I believe was created just for you.

We're launching a project called "Project Name," aiming to solve issues related to real-time broadcasting of status and location. Features like detention and critical events management are our focus. We're developing a robust backend to support mission-critical applications. Our landing page is [www.projectname.com](http://www.projectname.com), and we plan to present our first system at a startup event here in Sydney on March 31st. Currently, we're attracting clients and programming like mad.

I know you have experience with dispatcher systems working with Pinpoint, and I'm interested in your opinion: as a startup seeking investment and a scalable business model, should we focus more on infrastructure or on solving a specific problem? Or is it better to tackle both and decide where to concentrate later?

In other words, should we aim to be like SimpleGeo (but with real-time capabilities) or provide a solution similar to what you did with RightCad in PinPint?

I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Bonus question: I'm curious to know how many projects in this space you're encountering currently. Is geolocation as trendy as Groupon clones, pitches you likely hear every day? Or do you think there's still untapped potential here? It's a bit hard to judge from Australia.

Thanks for taking the time to read! I assume you're swamped with TechStars applications. Good luck with the summer program!

Best regards,  
Glenn Farrant  
CEO of CriticalArc

# What Makes This Email Stand Out

1. Familiarity with My Background: Glenn references my experience, creating a relevant context.
2. Understanding of My Role: He acknowledges my position at TechStars.
3. Insight into Industry Frustrations: Glenn mentions the myriad of Groupon clones that can be irritating, showing he understands the challenges.
4. Clear and Thoughtful Communication: It’s evident he’s an intelligent individual who can articulate his thoughts clearly and succinctly.
5. Shared Language and References:
   • Mentions Pinpoint and the summer program (even noting the current winter season in Australia).
   • References SimpleGeo, one of my investment projects.
6. Concise and Actionable Questions: He poses questions that are straightforward to respond to.

Naturally, I make it a point to respond to all the emails I receive, especially those from entrepreneurs. However, this particular email was exceptional and compelled me to help. Here’s why:

# Conclusion

Crafting the perfect letter to an investor involves more than just a pitch. It requires understanding the investor’s background, referencing relevant projects, and posing clear, thoughtful questions. By doing so, you not only demonstrate professionalism but also show that you’ve done your homework and genuinely seek meaningful engagement.

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