Who are the two best foundersyou know?

The first founder

The one you thought of immediately.

Their name

Email or LinkedIn However you would reach them

What they are building Company name and one line, if you know it

What did they do that made you think of them? A specific thing beats an adjective. "Shipped the whole first product alone in six weeks" tells us more than "brilliant and driven."

Would you go and work for them?

Yes Maybe No I already do

How do you know them?

The second founder

Optional

Leave this empty rather than filling it with someone you do not rate.

Their name

Email or LinkedIn

What they are building

What did they do that made you think of them?

Would you go and work for them?

Yes Maybe No I already do

How do you know them?

And you

So they know who sent them, and so we can tell you when it lands.

Your name

Your email

Can we say the referral came from you? Named referrals get opened. Anonymous ones still get an answer.

Yes, use my name Keep me anonymous

What happens next

They get an email saying you thought of them, with a link to apply. No spam, one message.
If they apply, they are measured against the same rubric as every other applicant and get written feedback back.
If they make The Shortlist, you hear about it.
We do not sell, share or reuse the addresses you give us. They are used for this and nothing else.

Where to next

For investors

The top 10% of founders.

Measured against precedent before they reach you.

See the list

For founders

Get feedback on your pitch.

Apply and get feedback, even if you do not make it.

Apply

The Thursday issue

One pattern a week.

What the data says about founders who won.

See the issues

Shortlist^™

Silicon Valley · Est. 2026

Refer a founder · Jobs · lauren@shortlistvc.com · Privacy