A well-written investor update is the cornerstone of maintaining healthy, mutually beneficial relationships between entrepreneurs and investors. An investor update is a regular communication that shares key insights with your investors about your company’s progress and plans. It’s a chance to showcase the wins, share lessons learned (both positive and negative), and ask for help/guidance from your investors.
Investor updates should be concise, easily navigable, and feature a consistent structure. They often include a brief intro, highlights, lowlights, metrics, and investor requests. This structure helps ensure consistency and clarity, which is vital to maintaining transparency and trust.
Incorporating high-quality data and charts in your investor update will make it more compelling for your investors. Be sure to add context, which may include a discussion about why a certain metric moved in a particular direction or how you plan on approaching a goal you set in the past month.
The final section of your investor update should be a direct ask for support. Whether you need to recruit for a role, get a meeting with a top customer, or find a new vendor, laying out a clear request can help your investors leverage their networks in ways that directly support your growth.
Investor updates can feel time-consuming and stressful to write, especially when you’re focused on running your business. However, when done consistently, they can become a powerful tool for growing your relationship with investors and building trust with your team.