Relationships with founders, co-investors, advisers and experts; deal-sharing; reputation; and how an investor becomes someone opportunities are brought to.
Relationships are the infrastructure of private investing
Lessons
In private markets, who you know decides what you see — Private companies are not listed anywhere. Networks determine the deals an investor hears about, the quality of diligence they can do and whether founders choose them. (9 min)
Founders send the best deals to investors who treated them well — Founders are the most valuable part of an investor's network. Responding quickly, saying no clearly, being useful without being asked for credit and behaving well when things go wrong earns their referrals. (9 min)
The right expert on one call can change a diligence conclusion — An expert bench is a set of people with deep knowledge in your focus areas - operators, engineers, clinicians, lawyers - who can help check claims quickly. It is built before it is needed and treated with respect. (9 min)
Your reputation is built in the difficult moments — An investor's reputation is formed mostly by behaviour when companies struggle - down rounds, missed plans, founder departures. Founders and co-investors check it, and it shapes future access. (9 min)
A network is kept alive by small, useful contact, not by volume — Maintaining an investment network means a simple system: knowing who matters, staying in touch with a light rhythm, giving before asking and reviewing which relationships actually produce value. (9 min)