Most founders think getting a VC’s attention requires a perfect pitch deck or a warm intro. According to Jennifer O’Daniel, Senior Investment Director at Virginia Venture Partners and LAUNCH, that mindset misses the mark. What actually gets noticed isn’t polish, it’s presence, consistency, and repetition.
The first thing founders can do is show up where investors already are. Jennifer emphasized attending investor coffee chats, workshops, and educational sessions, not just pitch events. These settings remove pressure and create real conversations. You’re not pitching, you’re learning, asking questions, and becoming a familiar face. Investors pay attention to founders who invest time in understanding how capital works before asking for it.
Second, founders should start a simple newsletter and use it as a lightweight relationship tool. This doesn’t need to be fancy or public. Send it to anyone who has shown interest, mentors, advisors, potential investors, or people who asked what you’re building. Share progress updates, lessons learned, traction, and occasionally an ask. Over time, this builds trust and shows momentum without forcing a pitch. When an investor is ready to engage, they already know your story because they’ve been watching it unfold.
The third and most underrated move is getting comfortable pitching everywhere. Not on a stage, but in everyday moments. At networking events, in line at a coffee shop, during casual introductions. Jennifer’s advice was simple: pitch your business to everyone you meet. Not aggressively, but clearly and confidently. The goal isn’t conversion, it’s muscle memory. The more you explain what you do, the sharper and more natural your story becomes. When the right investor conversation finally happens, you’re ready.
The common thread across all three is consistency. None of these tactics are flashy. None are shortcuts. But together, they compound. Investors notice founders who keep showing up, keep communicating, and keep refining how they talk about their business. Attention isn’t won in one meeting. It’s earned over time.
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