DocSend Newsletter - The Startup Index: October 30, 2023

This week, we'll be taking a closer look at the do’s and don’ts of investor outreach, how to securely share and store due diligence documents, and new tools for more focused work.

We also share findings from a Dropbox-sponsored study that highlight how many hours a day we lose to workplace distractions, and how you can get your focus back.

The do’s and don’ts of investor outreach

If you’re a founder with a great idea and not much of a network, you may be wondering how to reach out to key investors. Where do you start, if not with cold leads and an email template that removes the intimidation of a blank screen? We’ll share some expert tips on how to approach investor outreach, so you can skip some of the trial-and-error and raise your round faster.

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Pitch deck interest metrics

Founders and investors mostly held steady last week as the fall fundraising season continues. Investor activity was nearly unchanged, dipping by just 0.4% with the average time on deck rising by 4.17%.

VC activity is up just over 3% year-over-year, fueling our prediction that we’ll see a relatively healthier fundraising climate this fall compared to last year. Founder activity dropped by 5.31% last week and is right in line with last year’s pace.

Will the volatility we’ve seen over the past few weeks in the public equities markets show up in private fundraising activity? Or will VCs’ long-term focus win out over short-term pressures? We expect the latter, as public-market fluctuations don’t always map neatly onto the private investment scene, but we’ll be looking out for any signs of sentiment change among investors.

6 types of due diligence documents to help you seal the deal

Failing to organize your due diligence documents could be jeopardizing your raise. Even if you’re not actively fundraising, you’ll need organized due diligence documents if you get hit with a surprise audit or legal action you didn’t anticipate. Learn how to use DocSend Spaces as a virtual data room to easily share and store all your due diligence documents, all in one secure link location.

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Recommended reads:

AI helps get more work done in less time. But are the results actually better? Ethan Mollick, an associate professor at The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, conducted an experiment to test just how much automated tools can help us accomplish. See the results, and what his thoughts are on the future of creativity and productivity.

Introducing Dropbox Dash: A Swiss army knife for the next generation of knowledge work. Dropbox Dash is an AI-powered universal search engine that connects your tools, content, and apps in a single search bar to help you locate your content, fast. Dash is now available to download in open beta and includes enhancements that make it easier to find the information you need.
We lose hours a day to workplace distractions. Despite more tools at our disposal, finding focus time at work is an elusive task. A Dropbox-sponsored study noted the economic opportunity of addressing lost focus is nearly $1.4 trillion in the US alone. Read the full report, and learn how to get your focus back.