Launch Capital
March 3, 2026
The short answer: Find investors by building a targeted list of firms that back your stage and sector, then reach them through warm introductions and short, specific messages. Fit and relationships matter far more than the number of people you contact.
Begin with your stage, sector, location and the amount you plan to raise. A Canadian software company, a GPU compute provider and a power developer will each fit different investors. The clearer your profile, the easier it is to filter out investors who will never say yes.
Look at the portfolios of investors you admire. Firms that have already backed companies like yours understand the market and the risks. Read their websites, articles and public announcements to learn what they care about. Founders in their portfolios can also tell you what the investor is like to work with.
Warm introductions generally get more attention than cold messages. Ask other founders, advisors, lawyers, accountants and customers who they would suggest. When you request an introduction, make it easy: write a short blurb the person can forward, explaining who you are and why this investor is a fit.
Industry events, demo days, accelerators and online communities put you in front of investors and peers. Be useful and curious in these settings rather than pitching everyone. Relationships built over time often lead to better outcomes than a single meeting.
Keep your first message brief. Say what the company does, the traction you have, what you are raising and why you think this investor is a fit. A tailored note to the right person works better than a long generic email.
When interest arrives, you should have a concise deck, a clear financial picture and answers to the obvious questions. Investors notice how prepared and honest you are, and that impression often carries weight.
Many founders contact too many investors with the same message, or approach firms that clearly invest in other sectors. Others wait for the perfect moment and start too late. Treat the search as ongoing relationship building: a no today can become a yes later if you keep the investor informed with honest updates and real progress.
Launch Capital is a Toronto venture capital firm and family office that provides growth capital to Canadian technology companies, led by operators who have built and exited companies. Send us your pitch and tell us what you are building. It takes two minutes and no deck is required.
