Fundraising Email Templates: Cold, Follow-Up, and Update

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If you’re raising capital and spending hours writing investor emails from scratch… stop.

Fundraising email templates exist to help you move faster, stay structured, and avoid awkward phrasing that kills momentum.

In this post, I’m giving you the exact cold, follow-up, and update templates I used (and refined with dozens of founders) to get investor replies, meetings, and checks.

Copy, customize, send, and raise.

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1. Why Email Still Dominates in Fundraising (Yes, Even in 2025)

Even with LinkedIn DMs, warm intros, and VC Twitter—email is still your #1 fundraising weapon.

Why?

• VCs check it daily
• Email is scannable and forwardable
• Cold email lets you scale outreach without being spammy
• It sets the tone for your comms (clear, credible, and concise)

But most founders get ignored because their emails are:

❌ Too long
❌ Too vague
❌ Too desperate
❌ Too generic

Let’s fix that.

2. The 5-Email Fundraising Sequence You Actually Need

You don’t need 20 templates.

You need these 5:

1. Cold email (no intro)
2. Intro request (for warm intros)
3. Follow-up #1 (after no reply)
4. Meeting recap + updated deck
5. Investor update (to stay top of mind)

Let’s go.

3. Cold Email Template (No Intro Needed)

Subject: Backing [X] founders in [Y] – this might be a fit

Hi [Investor First Name],

I’m [Your Name], founder of [Startup Name].
We’re building [one-liner / what your product does in plain English].

We launched [X months ago], now have [traction — users/revenue/retention].

We’re raising [$1.2M] to [outcome: expand GTM, build X, etc.].

Saw you invested in [similar startup] and your post on [topic] really hit home.

Can I send over the deck or set up a quick 10-min intro call?

Thanks,
[Name]
[LinkedIn] | [Calendly or email]

👉 Want 15+ more versions? See: 15 Best Cold Email Templates for Investor Outreach

4. Warm Intro Request Template

Subject: Can you intro me to [VC Name] at [Fund]?

Hey [Name],

Quick ask—would you feel comfortable introducing me to [Investor Name] at [Fund]?

We're raising a [$] seed round for [Startup]—[1-liner about the product].

I noticed you know them from [LinkedIn / shared investment / event].

Totally fine if not, but I wrote a quick blurb below to make it easy if yes:

“Hey [Investor], I want to introduce you to [Founder], who’s building [Startup]—a [problem + solution].
They're raising [$] and already seeing [traction]. I thought it was up your alley.”

Let me know,
[Your Name]

5. Follow-Up Email Template (No Reply After Cold Outreach)

Subject: Re: Backing [X] founders in [Y]

Hey [Investor First Name],

Just circling back on my note from a few days ago.

We’re raising [$1.2M] and already have [$400K] committed from [credible name or fund].

[Startup] is seeing [traction], and we’d love to share more if it fits your thesis.

Can I send over the deck or book 10 mins on your calendar?

Thanks again,
[Name]

🧠 Tip: Send this 3–5 days after the first message. Keep it short, and add social proof or urgency.

6. Meeting Recap + Deck Update Email

Subject: Thanks for the call – recap + updated deck

Hey [Investor Name],

Great chatting earlier. Really appreciated your thoughts on [specific insight].

As discussed, here’s our updated deck: [Deck link]

Quick recap:

• We’re building [1-liner]
• Raising [$] on a [SAFE / equity]
• Have [$] committed
• Current metrics: [revenue / users / growth rate]

Let me know if any follow-ups come to mind.

Cheers,
[Your Name]

7. Investor Update Template (Keep Them Warm)

Send these monthly (even before the raise, or between calls).

Subject: Quick update from [Startup Name] 🚀

Hey [First Name],

Here’s what we’ve been up to this month:

✅ Highlights:

• Hit [$X MRR]
• Launched [new feature]
• Signed [new customer / partnership]

📈 Metrics:

• MoM growth: +X%
• CAC: $X
• Retention: X%

👥 Team:

• Hired [key hire or advisor]

💸 Round:

• Raising [$], [X%] committed
• Target close: [Month]

🙌 Asks:

• Intros to [VCs / partners / experts]
• Feedback on [X]

Thanks again for the support,
[Your Name]
[Deck Link] | [Calendly]

Need more help with updates?
See: How to Craft Investor Updates That Actually Get Read

8. How Often Should I Email Investors?

SituationEmail TypeTimingCold outreachCold emailDay 1No replyFollow-up #1Day 4–5Still no replyFollow-up #2Day 10–14Meeting doneRecap emailSame dayOngoing roundInvestor updateMonthly

9. What to Avoid in Fundraising Emails

Don’t:
❌ Use buzzwords (e.g. “synergy”, “game-changer”)
❌ Overexplain early-stage traction
❌ Attach giant decks or pitch PDFs
❌ Forget your ask
❌ Hide the key info (make it skimmable)

10. Turn Emails Into Systems: Use an Investor CRM

Don’t track investor replies in your head.

Use a simple spreadsheet or Notion board with:

• Investor name
• Contact method
• Status (cold / replied / call / follow-up)
• Notes / intro angle
• Response date

Need a template?
See: Fundraising CRM for Startups – The Ultimate Guide

FAQs

1. Should I email investors before I start raising?
Yes. Soft outreach builds relationships before the "ask."

2. How long should cold emails be?
3–5 sentences. Max 150 words.

3. Should I include a deck in cold emails?
No—offer to send it. Don’t attach it.

4. What if they open but don’t reply?
Send a short follow-up after 4–5 days with traction or urgency.

5. How often should I send investor updates?
Monthly is ideal—even if they haven’t committed yet.

6. Should I include a Calendly link?
Yes, if it’s relevant. But don’t be pushy.

7. What subject lines work best?
Use curiosity + context. E.g. “Raising for AI startup – 80% margins, 60% MoM” or “Backing X founders in Y – thought of you”

8. Should I CC my co-founder?
Optional—just make sure only one of you owns the thread.

9. Should I BCC other investors?
No. Never batch cold investor emails.

10. Should I ask for feedback if I get a pass?
Yes, but only once. Be respectful of time.

Conclusion

Fundraising is hard enough—email shouldn’t slow you down.

Use these templates as your base. Personalize them. Track your results. Iterate.

And remember: capital follows clarity.

Subscribe to Capitaly.vc Substack for templates, investor lists, and strategy drops to raise capital at the speed of AI.

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