Not All Warm Intros Are Equal

An intro from a portfolio founder is not the same as an intro from a distant acquaintance.

Takeaway: Trust is weighted. Intros carry different signal strength.

Here is how investors actually think about intros:

Tier 1: Portfolio founders
"If Sarah says this founder is good, I take the meeting. She has built a $50M company."

Tier 2: Trusted operators
"I know this person professionally. Their judgment is solid."

Tier 3: Acquaintances
"I have met this person a few times. The intro is appreciated but not weighted."

Tier 4: Strangers introducing strangers
"This is essentially cold with extra steps."

The intro matters. But the introducer matters more.

Who in your network carries real weight with your target investors?