We ultimately see VC as a numbers game where to drive returns we need to improve 2 factors without increasing the fund size: the number of shots at the target and the quality of these shots. In our previous funds, we were investing in 6x fewer deals per quarter due to critical choke points:

• Fewer deals at the top of the pipeline
• Long deal review process (pre-call research → first call → additional research → deal memo → getting expert opinions → IC review → deal negotiations)
• Extended due diligence process
• Time-consuming term sheet and definitive agreement negotiations (particularly when leading)
• Manual reporting burden on portfolio founders

This is how it looked like (more or less standard flow for the industry) This approach made us slow, created unnecessary founder distraction (see all arrows going back to the founder each time an additional person starts working on the deal), and formalized relationships to the point where meaningful help was limited to board-level engagement. After the first principle analysis, we reinvented the process using AI-based automation and our community of LPs and portfolio founders.

The Solution: More Shots, Better Aim

This is how we optimized this to source more deals, close them faster, and provide more value to the founders (so they refer us to other founders which is a flywheel for more deals sourced):

1. Increasing Pipeline Volume

• Deal Captain Program: LPs serve as Venture Partners with deal-by-deal carry-sharing across funds and SPVs. We've armed them with:
  • Quick-add pipeline tools
  • Automated initial research capabilities
  • AI-powered memo generation
  • Access to collective expertise
  • Weekend VC educational resources
  • Current impact: ~25% of deal flow
• Community-Driven Dealflow:
  • Founder referrals through consistent value delivery
  • Cross-pollination events (15-16 early-stage GPs each bringing active investments)
  • AI-enhanced industry research based on collective expert insights

2. Accelerating Deal Execution

• Automated Initial Analysis:
  • Forward email/deck to AI agent for comprehensive research
  • Automatic memo generation with structured follow-up questions
  • Centralized information hub (Airtable + frontend) preventing duplicate founder queries
• Streamlined Due Diligence:
  • Focus on founder and product validation
  • Leave financial and legal DD to round leads
  • Expert LP engagement through platform or quick messenger queries
  • Biweekly pipeline calls for collective insight
• Standardized Closing Process:
  • AngelList integration for fund admin and back office
  • Automated deal submission, doc review, and wire transfers