PE – The “Forward-Able Introduction” Email (to Source Deals, Get LP Referrals, and More)

In PE, many of the best deals and LP relationships don’t come from cold outreach.

They come from referrals.  But most professionals handle referrals sub-optimally: they either passively wait for them, or they ask for introductions in a way that creates extra work for the referrer. The result is fewer connections.

A better approach is the forward-able introduction email. How it works:

 

Step 1: Ask permission

  • Identify the person you want to connect with (get a referral to) and who in your network knows them
  • Call or email your contact first: “Would you be open to connecting me? I’ll make it very easy with a forward-able email that will take 10 seconds for you to send along”
  • This removes friction and signals respect for their time

 

Step 2: Write the email for them

  • Start by addressing your referrer directly and explain why the connection makes sense
  • In the same note, include a short summary for the target contact you want to connect with:
    • Who you are
    • Why it’s relevant to connect (what’s in it for them)
    • A light, specific ask (intro call, brief exchange, etc.)

 

Why this works

  • It takes your referrer less than 30 seconds to forward
  • You remove the cognitive and drafting burden
  • You frame the connection in a way that benefits everyone

The takeaway
Referrals are the lifeblood of PE deal flow and fundraising. Don’t wait for them. Make it effortless for others to say yes by writing the forward-able introduction yourself.

 

———

Example of a “Forward-able Introduction” Email:

From: Steve S
To: Henry K

Hi Henry,

I came across your portfolio company ABC Inc. and was impressed by what they’re building. There may be an interesting opportunity to explore potential synergies with our portfolio company DEF Corp. that could be highly accretive for both businesses and potentially generate meaningful value for your firm as well.

Would you be open to forwarding the note below to Kyle, the CEO at ABC?

———

Hi Kyle,

I’m a partner at Compounding Capital Partners. We’re investors in DEF Corp. and thought there might be interesting opportunities to collaborate and some meaningful synergies between ABC and DEF.

I’m a big fan of yours and your company, and would welcome the chance to connect. Would you be open to a brief 15-minute call to get acquainted?

Thank you in advance for your consideration.

Best,
Steve

 

P.S. The “forward-able introduction” approach was inspired by my friend Kyler Porter who was CEO at SalesLoft and whose company was acquired by Vista Equity recently.