An investor update is a regular communication that shares wins and losses, and future plans that could shape the company’s trajectory. It’s a critical piece of building trust and transparency with your investors, and can ultimately strengthen the relationship and position you to leverage their experience, network, and resources as you scale.
The most common investor updates start with an overview of key takeaways from the previous month (or quarter) and how you’re planning to move forward. Then you’ll share some highlights, like new hires, a record growth rate, or significant sales milestones. It’s also good to highlight some lowlights, too. Startups are hard and it’s important to share what’s not working so that your investors can help you find solutions.
Finally, you’ll conclude by sharing any specific requests that you need from your investors. This might be funding for a certain project, or help in finding a new executive team member. It’s a good idea to keep a running list of highlights and requests so that your investor updates can be a more comprehensive and helpful tool for both you and your investors.