Send us your company.
No warm introduction required. Around a third of the companies we have funded came in cold. First response within five working days, decision in two to three weeks.
Five things, in your own words.
A deck is fine. A long email is also fine. What matters is that these five questions get answered clearly.
What you are building
Two or three paragraphs in plain language. Assume we are smart but new to your field.
Why now
What changed in the market, the technology, or the regulation that makes this possible this year.
What you have already done
Users, revenue, pilots, a prototype, a paper. Early is fine. Vague is not.
Who is on the team
Names, backgrounds, and how you know each other. Founder history matters more to us than logos.
What you are raising
Amount, rough use of funds, and whether anyone is already in the round.
Tell us about the company.
Ten minutes, no login. If you would rather email, write to pitch@rifatela.cool and we will pick it up from there.
What happens after you press send.
Day one to five
Someone on the investment team reads it and replies. If it is a no, you get the reason in that first email.
Week one
A 45 minute call with the partner who covers your area. We share our early view at the end of it.
Week two
You meet the wider team, we speak with customers, and we send you the same references we took.
Week three
Decision with reasoning attached, and a term sheet if it is a yes. Standard terms, no ratchets.
Things founders ask us.
Do I need a warm introduction?
No. Around a third of the companies we have funded came in cold. We read everything sent to pitch@rifatela.cool and reply either way.
How long until I hear back?
Five working days for a first response. Two to three weeks from first meeting to a decision if we move forward.
Will you lead the round?
Often. We led or co-led 78 percent of our first cheques. We are also happy to follow when a good lead is already in place.
Do you invest pre-product?
Yes, if the team has unusual insight into the problem. Roughly a quarter of our pre-seed investments had no product at the time.
What if you pass?
We tell you why, in writing. If the reason is timing, we will say what would change our mind and ask to stay in touch.
Do you take a board seat?
At seed, usually an observer seat. A full seat only when both sides think it helps.
Not raising yet? Still worth a conversation.
We meet plenty of founders a year or more before a round. It makes the eventual decision faster for both sides.