How to Build a VC Deal Flow Pipeline from Scratch

A deal flow pipeline is the system you use to find, evaluate, and track investment opportunities. Without one, you rely on inbound deals — which means you see what everyone else sees. A pipeline gives you an edge.

Step 1: Choose your signal source. GitDealFlow's engineering momentum data is the strongest leading indicator of fundraising. Sign up free, pick 3-5 sectors you understand, and review the weekly trending list.

Step 2: Build a watchlist. Add startups that interest you to a GitDealFlow watchlist. Set up weekly digests so you receive momentum updates automatically.

Step 3: Filter ruthlessly. Most startups are not a fit. Use GitDealFlow's momentum score, sector, and stage filters to narrow to 20-50 active prospects.

Step 4: Reach out. For each prospect, find the founder on LinkedIn, send a short note referencing their product or engineering traction. GitDealFlow's MCP server can draft outreach notes in Claude.

Step 5: Track everything. Use a simple CRM (Notion, Airtable, or Affinity) to log conversations, next steps, and outcomes. Review your pipeline weekly.

FAQ

How long does it take to build a deal flow pipeline?

With GitDealFlow and a CRM, you can have a working pipeline in a weekend. Filling it with quality prospects takes 2-4 weeks of consistent sourcing.

What's the right pipeline size for an angel?

20-50 active prospects. More than that and you can't give each deal enough attention. GitDealFlow helps you filter so you focus on the top 5-10 each week.

Should angels use a CRM?

Yes, even a simple one. Notion or Airtable is enough for most angels. Affinity is worth it once you're tracking 50+ active conversations.

See pricing & start tracking →