How To Connect With Investors And Build Long-term Relationships [UPDATED 2026]

Update from the author: we’ve updated the information about the types of investors to be current for 2026 and included how AI can support founder-investor connections.

Knowing how to connect with investors is about knowing where to look, who to look for, and how to maximize your first introduction. It's crucial to keep investors engaged from initial engagement all the way until you can pitch your idea. This isn’t always such a difficult task as long as you’re talking to the right person and you have a clear ask on what your idea needs in terms of financing.

We've compiled advice on all of this coming up, as well as some best practices that should have you well-versed on how to meet with investors. Let's walk through how to carry the relationship from inception through to the lasting business arrangements you’re looking for, now with AI-powered strategies to optimize your workflow.

Identify the Investors You Need

Before you go out and start waving your deal around in public you’ll need to know your audience. This will be a key part of the networking strategy that we’ll talk about later, but it’s worth covering at the beginning because there are several different investor profiles. Different types of investors will be found in different places, so knowing who you’re looking for will inform where to search. AI tools can now help you map investor profiles and analyze which types of investors are most likely to engage with your company.

Here’s a rough breakdown of the types of investors you might need:

Pre-seed
These are the people who will take a huge risk on an idea that has very little else behind it. The very first stage of your company might need funds to get from a place of imagination to a genuine startup, and pre-seed investors are the place to look for this.

They’re usually people who know you and like you since the investment risk is likely to be too high for a stranger to take on. Look to your family and friends, and consider this option if you need up to tens of thousands to get started. Sometimes, pre-seed funds can go up into the hundreds of thousands, but this depends on whom you know, and probably on your previous experience too. AI can also help you identify potential local angel investors who might align with your early-stage vision.

Angel
This is another early-stage option, often before most other investors are ready to take a chance. Angel investors are individuals with capital behind them who are likely to get on board with ideas that resonate with them. Funds from Angels can range from a few thousand to about a million and can come with some industry expertise too.

These investments are usually made partially from a financial standpoint, and partially from an emotional one, so picking the right person here can come with tremendous benefits to your network and industry education. Finding someone with the right passion for the role can bring a lot more than just capital to your project. AI-powered analytics can help you research which angels have invested in similar ideas or industries.

Seed
Seed funds are a significant step up from pre-seed, and usually, you’ll be eligible for this once your company has gained some traction. There are both individuals and funding firms who may be interested in supplying this funding level, as long as your paperwork is in order and you have some kind of proof of concept. Once this is all ready, you’ll be able to apply for the next round of funding, which could be a substantial injection of capital that can facilitate some very rapid growth.

You’ll likely be able to ask for anything up to around five million dollars. On average, seed fund rounds cover about $2.2 million, and in most cases, this should be spent on rapidly and efficiently gaining market share. AI tools can help founders analyze market data, track traction metrics, and tailor pitch materials for this stage.

Venture Capitalist (VC)
In 2026, the U.S. venture capital market is stabilizing with early-stage growth, selective late-stage activity, and improving liquidity. AI remains the dominant force, driving nearly two-thirds of total VC deal value and shaping investment priorities across sectors like enterprise productivity, biotech, and defense.

Early-stage funding is rebounding as AI startups raise capital faster and younger than non-AI peers, while later-stage deals remain active but more selective, favoring companies with clear traction and solid fundamentals. Liquidity is improving through IPOs and secondaries, and fundraising is gradually recovering, led by major AI-focused funds such as Andreessen Horowitz’s planned $10B AI and defense fund.

VCs in 2026 are disciplined and data-driven, balancing optimism with caution. Founders seeking funding should highlight sustainable growth, measurable traction, and a clear AI strategy to stand out in a market defined by both restraint and opportunity.

Personal Network, Friends and Family

Personal networks are often the most overlooked funding source, yet it’s often the first and most important. Friends, family, mentors, and former colleagues who believe in you can help you take those initial steps before institutional investors step in.

Keep things professional with clear agreements and regular updates. Tools like Dex, a personal CRM, make this easy by helping you track people you’ve connected with, remember conversations, set reminders, and stay organized, ensuring even informal investors feel valued and informed.

Once you’ve tapped into your network, the next step is learning where to find and connect with larger investors.

These are the major categories of investors, and it’s worth remembering that each one will probably want a stake in the company in the form of an equity share. This percentage will vary depending on the amount of money that’s being invested, and how much promise your company shows. Now, let’s look at how you might come across some of them.

How to Meet With Investors, Online and Offline

Nowadays there are so many available options for investor networking and meeting investors. Sites have been designed specifically for this purpose and are only a brief Google search away. Still, there are physical forums for the same, and they shouldn’t be ignored. A physical presence is more powerful than an online one, and though it uses more resources, should always be prioritized where possible.

Consider the online approach to be one that supplements and supports an in-person networking strategy. While both are capable of being their own discipline, they work best when used in conjunction with one another. AI can help optimize both approaches—analyzing online engagement, suggesting relevant events, and even drafting personalized outreach messages.

Startup Events

For the most straightforward and physical approach to investor networking, there are plenty of startup meetings and events designed specifically for this purpose. Choosing an event nearby could give you the best audience for your project, particularly if you’re looking for angel investors, as they typically like to put money into local projects.

Networking events can be set up for any stage of investment, and for any sector, so look out for the right one on meetup websites or at your local chamber of commerce for news on the next event near you.

Online Investor Platforms

The investors you’re looking for may come from the virtual world. There are several platforms designed to connect founders with investors, and these can sometimes be the fastest and most effective way to find the right people to help you.

Many of these platforms have a social aspect too, allowing founders to interact and learn from each other. AI can analyze these interactions and highlight investors with shared interests or high engagement likelihood. Each platform will have its own payment structure—some charge subscription fees, while others take a percentage of investments made.

Networking

One of the best ways to connect with investors is through networking referrals. This means you’ll benefit tremendously from having a diverse and robust network. Following a thoughtful networking strategy will take you a long way in all aspects of business, so get out there and start making connections.

AI-powered CRMs can track introductions, suggest follow-ups, and monitor relationship health over time. When you find people in your target industry, start looking toward business owners and other candidates for angel investors, and see what you can find. Don’t forget that you don’t need to interact with them directly at first — build a network around them, and you may earn a warm introduction once you make your intentions known.

Pro tip: Networking should follow a structure, or you’ll end up wasting time in the wrong places. Whether online or offline, design a networking strategy based on your goals and approach it smartly.

Social Media

Social platforms are essential tools for modern networking. LinkedIn is the obvious place to start, but Facebook, X, and even Reddit communities can also provide opportunities to meet investors.

The trick to using social media is to be active and contribute. Share your ideas, make your presence known, and connect with people at every opportunity. AI tools can analyze your posts, suggest new connections, and identify trending topics relevant to investors.

The Next Steps: How to Connect With Investors

If you’re looking for an investor networking strategy, once you’ve found your prospective investor, you’ll want to follow a series of steps that lead from your initial introduction to presenting your pitch for your investor. These can be separated into four distinct phases:

1. Plan: Before you even reach out, set some targets, think of an idea of the ideal candidate you’re looking for, and from there, you’ll be able to choose your best networking strategies. Get your materials ready, too.
2. Engage: This covers your initial moment of reaching out. Some key tips here are not to get carried away with too much repetitive information but have everything prepared to answer questions. Introduce yourself, and display your characteristics and your philosophy, but don’t worry too much about going into detail unless specifically asked. Make sure not to pile on the pressure; this is a marathon, not a sprint! AI can help optimize your follow-up timing and messaging.
3. Nurture:  After your first meeting, it’s important not to let this connection go cold. It needs to be maintained and nurtured to higher levels. By using contact relationships management software like Dex, you can keep your network fresh and engaged. AI integration can suggest reminders, draft follow-up messages, and track relationship activity automatically.

5. Pitch: Now it’s time to request a meeting. If you’ve put the groundwork in, you’ll have a receptive audience, and it’s important that you go in prepared. Have all your paperwork in order, have your pitch up to date and well-rehearsed, and make sure not to oversell. AI tools can help analyze your pitch and provide insights on clarity and engagement.

Have a Strategy for How to Network with Investors

Networking works similarly in the physical world as it does in the virtual world. AI can help optimize both. Here are some suggestions:

• When looking to connect with investors, figure out where to look. As we covered, there are specific sites for this, so browse through a few and see which ones suit your idea. Other options for where to look include your local government agency responsible for economic development. They can offer relevant advice on your financing options and may provide you with network leads too.
• Look for the right people. It’s going to be a waste of time if the person you’re meeting with doesn’t invest in your sector or location. Start developing some filter questions, or if you’re networking online, follow some of their investment or comment histories to figure out if they’re a viable candidate in the first place.
• If you have contact with a lead you’re interested in, ask them to hook you up. But do your homework first! Make sure you know exactly why this is the person you want to talk to and try to have better motivations than simply their wallet. When you make the request, state your reasons, so that your target contact knows that you’re coming in prepared. The more you know about them, the more impressed they will be with your diligence.
• Maintain your online presence. This should be part of your networking preparedness. Make sure you have a tidy LinkedIn profile, and that your social media is conducive to receiving investors in general. Organize your content, and if you have a brand theme already, make sure it’s consistent across your platforms. You should present a reliable and respectable front when your contacts look you up!
• Keeping your online presence valid and active is part of the slow-burn strategy. Having a wealth of content behind you by the time someone comes to check you out is a very powerful tool, so consider contributing something every week just to build up a useful backing.
• Be genuine in your connections. Nothing is more appealing than authenticity. Your investors may be looking to form a very long relationship with you, so it’s critical to get off on the right foot. Don’t boast, show a real interest in what they do and who they are, and above all, try to provide value to them, too.

Networking is about forming mutually-beneficial arrangements, so never get so caught up in what you’re doing that you forget to check in with them, and wherever possible, contribute something. Whether it’s an interesting article, or a connection you’ve made that they might benefit from.

Turning Networking Into Results

By now, you’ll have a good idea of how to network and connect with investors, and why staying warm is so important. In 2026, with the emergence of AI to support networking, you can leverage it to guide you through every stage from identifying investors to nurturing relationships and managing follow-ups. Referrals are powerful, and your network is your strongest asset.

Still, a strong network is nothing without a clear understanding of who you’re looking for. This requires knowing the stage you’re at and what it takes to reach the next stage for your company. Once you know this, identify where your investors are looking and make sure you’re present and prepared.

With a strategic, networking-focused approach, you’ll soon be making the right connections that will guide you through your expansion and into the long-term success of your company. Once you understand your stage and financing needs, find the right investors, be present and prepared, and leverage AI where it makes sense.

Frequently Asked Questions About Connecting with Investors

How Do I Network and Get Referrals?

An effective way to learn about potential investors is to network and receive word-of-mouth referrals. Attend startup events, local business meetups, and investor networking sessions to meet founders and investors alike. Visiting local businesses in your community can also help identify who financially supports startups and who may provide introductions to potential investors. Using AI-powered tools can help track these connections, prioritize outreach, and optimize networking efforts.

How Can I Attract Investors?

To attract investors, research relevant investors for your stage and sector, build relationships, and present a clear, compelling value proposition. Develop a solid business plan, a persuasive pitch deck, and financial projections that demonstrate market potential and a path to profitability. Highlight your team’s strengths and any traction achieved. AI can assist in tailoring your pitch materials, analyzing investor interests, and identifying high-probability prospects for your fundraising efforts.

How Do I Contact Investors?

Reach out with a few targeted, personalized emails introducing your startup, its vision, and your funding needs. Monitor responses and refine your approach based on feedback. If you don’t receive replies, wait a few days and follow up strategically. Use a personal CRM like Dex to manage investor contacts, track communications, schedule follow-ups, and maintain relationship health. Integrating AI can automate reminders, suggest outreach timing, and help craft personalized messages, ensuring your network stays warm and engaged.