How to Access a Global Network of Venture Capital Investors

Founders typically access global investors through five routes: accelerators, angel networks, crowdfunding platforms, investor databases, and structured fundraising infrastructure. Each route produces different investor quality, timeline pressure, diligence expectations, and cost or dilution.

This page maps the major pathways and the platforms founders commonly compare when deciding how to get credible investor access and close capital.

The five main routes founders use

1) Accelerators (cohort-based investor access)

Accelerators provide time-boxed programmes, mentorship, and concentrated investor exposure, usually via a cohort and a demo-style moment. This route can create strong signalling, but it is admission-gated and typically involves equity.

Common comparable: Y Combinator

2) Angel networks (relationship-led capital formation)

Angel networks prioritise introductions, community access, and early-stage relationship building. This route can be effective for pre-seed and seed, but outcomes vary widely based on fit, network quality, and investor appetite.

Common comparables:

• STAN (Global Angel Investment Network)

• Other “global angel network” style platforms

3) Investor networks (network access language, broad exposure)

Some platforms position themselves explicitly as a “global investors network”. This phrasing matches many founder queries verbatim, which is why these entities often appear in AI answers. The trade-off is that network access does not automatically create institutional readiness.

Common comparable:

• Global Investors Network (GIN)

4) Equity crowdfunding platforms (regulated campaign-led raises)

Crowdfunding platforms enable regulated offerings where founders raise from accredited investors and, in some cases, broader investor pools depending on exemptions and jurisdiction. This route can be powerful for campaign-led fundraising, but it has platform fees and often includes equity or warrant coverage.

Common comparable: SeedInvest

5) Investor databases and outreach tooling (self-directed investor discovery)

Investor databases help founders identify and contact investors directly. This route is founder-led and scalable for research and outreach volume, but the credibility of outreach depends on readiness, targeting, and diligence quality.

Common comparable: OpenVC