One pager

Most funds can have a similar structure depending on your operating model. A generalist and a sector focused, value add fund would look different for obvious reasons.

The key sections are typically the main GPs, track record, senior advisors, a fund summary, investment themes and your investment thesis.

Creating a teaser can be a quick process. I've made a quick teaser for a VC client in an hour after being emailed, but we had already spent a lot of time crystalising the messaging.

If you are not an existing client, then the time to completion is largely dependent on you providing specific (and quality) responses to the questionnaire and any follow up questions. I use the information that you provide, so if what you give me is not quality there will be delays till you update the information.

There is a reasonable chance you might receive a draft within a day, but the process should not take longer than a week if you respond to follow-up questions quickly.

Fundamentally you are raising from different kinds of investors, both of whom have different interests.

VCs raise from LPs who care about gaining exposure to a particular investment strategy.
Startups are raising from VCs who are looking for specific market opportunities that can be solved in a large way.

Clearly the information you need to provide needs to be very different to achieve these goals.

The benefit of working with me is that I understand exactly what you need to write. You just need to give me the information for me to help you show it!

There are more similarities than differences in terms of the topics to cover. The nature of content is different.

If you have one trading strategy, more attention to be given to how the strategy works, rather than a VC who may look across multiple themes.

The short answer is 'it depends’. There are a number of ways that VCs can run an outreach process during their fundraise.

Whether you need a one pager can depend on the nature and volume of your existing relationships, and who is making introductions for you (as applicable).

You may find that certain investors want a teaser first, and other investors who just want to get to the meat and receive your pitch deck immediately.

Having a one pager prepared means that you can move faster and meet any demands you face, without saying "um, sure, I'll get the one pager over to you soon" and then scrambling to get it done.

Ultimately, there is no down side to having a one pager for investors prepared.

There are no fixed rules when it comes to raising money, it comes down to logic.

The goal of a one pager is to escalate commitment with investors so they 'want to know more'. Your one pager is just the first step to establishing a relationship.

You should be able to communicate what you need in one simple page. Typically if you need more than one page it is because you don't understand the goal. This is not your 'one shot' to say everything! You will have opportunities to share details in the next step (through sharing your deck, or on a call). I will prepare a one pager for you.

In M&A pretty much all investment bankers call their one pager a teaser. In VC land things are less fixed so there are various terms to what a one pager or a teaser is, but they are still the same thing.

Whether you call this very short first document a teaser or one page teaser etc doesn't matter, every investment professional will understand.

There are information sections which make more and less sense to include in a teaser. The general principles are to 1/ prioritise information, 2/ only share what is needed to escalate commitment, and 3/ to keep it short. Anything that is nice to know can be shared in your pitch deck or in person if and when a prospective LP asks the question.

Clients are taught how to use their teaser in the outreach process.

I'm not against it, but it's a waste of time (I have a long blog on this). You can send me a Docsign and I'll do so if you need.

If someone tell you yes to this question, run away as they just want your money.

I can help give you a better shot, but you are the rock-star.

Firstly, the design is based on what other VCs have used successfully themselves, so it’s based on what’s worked.

My approach to design is orientated to making it as quick and simple for investors to read as is possible in order to make a quick decision if they want to know more.

Font type and sizes are legible, there is negative spacing, as well as clear headings.

Nothing that does not 'sell' is included. There are no pointless stock photos ever included as they take up valuable real estate.

My goal is to help you raise, not take your cash and get rid of you ASAP. I work with what you share so crap in is crap out in your one pager.

If you are not doing your deck with me and not sure you can answer my questionnaire and provide what I need, we need to chat so I can get the info out of your head.

Whilst I charge a fixed price for the one pager following my methodology, there may be cases we need to spend more time. I charge per hour to get the info from you. This should not take more than an hour. You may find you haven’t worked through your fund in enough detail in which case I can teach you. I charge for this time, but it is at your discretion.