By Steve Walsh, Techstars Mentor-in-Residence and Founder of Hands On Angel LLC

Hey founders,

Here’s something I’ve learned after working with hundreds of early-stage teams:

Momentum doesn’t come from “big breakthroughs.” It comes from small, high-leverage actions done consistently.

And the founders who win? They don’t wait for perfect conditions. They use the quiet days.

So whether it’s a holiday, a random Tuesday, or a day where the world feels a little slower than normal… here are 3 moves that will put you ahead fast.

1) Write the investor update you keep putting off

If you’re raising now (or will be raising this year), your investor update is one of the most important assets you can build.

Not because it’s fun. Because it works.

Why Investor Updates Matter (Even Early)

Investor updates do 3 things at once:

✅ They build trust before you ask for money

Most founders only show up when they need capital. Updates let you stay on the radar while you’re building.

✅ They create momentum

When you’re consistent, you stop feeling like you’re “starting from zero” every time you want to raise.

✅ They create inbound

A good update gets forwarded. The right person sees it, and suddenly you’re getting intros you didn’t have to chase.

A Simple Structure You Can Steal

Keep it tight and easy to scan:

• Headline: 1–2 sentences on the biggest win or focus

• Progress: 3 bullets (traction, product, customers, hires, partnerships)

• Challenges: 1–2 bullets (be real — investors respect clarity)

• Asks: 2–3 bullets (this is where good things happen)

Founders forget this: The update isn’t for your ego. It’s for distribution. Make it easy for someone to forward.

2) Find your next 20 investors — and schedule the outreach

Fundraising is not a single event. It’s a pipeline.

And the biggest reason founders struggle with fundraising is simple: They don’t have consistent deal flow.

So here’s the move: Stop trying to build the perfect list of 300 investors. Instead, build the next 20.

What “Next 20” Really Means

These are 20 people who:

• Invest at your stage

• Write checks that matter

• Invest in your category

• Are reachable through a warm path (or at least a realistic cold intro)

Where to Find Them Quickly

• LinkedIn (search by role + sector + location)

• Crunchbase (who funds companies like yours)

• Signal (great filters + patterns)

• Portfolio pages (who else they’ve backed)

• Founder intros (still the best channel)

The Key: Don’t Just List Names — Create Motion

Once you have the list, do this:

✅ Pick the first 5

✅ Write the outreach

✅ Schedule the sends

✅ Ask for intros

✅ Run reps

A lot of founders feel behind because they’re waiting to “feel ready.”

You don’t get ready by thinking. You get ready by moving.

3) Record your 30-second elevator pitch on your phone

This is one of the simplest things you can do that has the biggest payoff.

Your pitch isn’t just for investors.

It’s for:

• Customers

• Partners

• Hires

• Advisors

• Anyone who asks, “So what are you building?”

If you can’t explain it clearly in 30 seconds, you’ll feel stuck everywhere.

The 30-Second Framework

Record yourself answering:

1. What do you do? (plain English, no jargon)

2. Who is it for? (specific ICP)

3. What pain are you solving? (real problem, real urgency)

4. Why you / why now? (traction or insight)

5. What are you looking for? (capital, customers, hires, intros)

Then watch it back.

You’ll hear where you ramble. Where you hedge. Where you sound unsure.

That’s not failure — that’s feedback.

Do it again. And again.

The best founders don’t “have a pitch.” They’ve earned a pitch.

The Real Cheat Code

Don’t wait for the perfect week. Use the quiet days to build leverage.

Because while other founders are “busy,” the great ones are building:

• consistency

• pipeline

• clarity

And those three things compound.

Do This Today (Seriously)

If you want a simple win:

✅ Draft your investor update

✅ List your next 20 investors

✅ Record your 30-second pitch

That’s it.

No fancy tools. No overthinking. Just progress.

Until next time — keep building.

Cheers,

Steve Walsh

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