FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
General FAQs
Have a question that you don't see answered? Don't hesitate to reach out to help@thunder.vc
What does Thunder do?
Thunder is a tech-enabled investment bank that uses AI to identify relevant deals within the Thunder network and makes warm intros via email on behalf of accredited investors, family offices, and VCs to founders & GPs that are actively raising or investing venture capital.
Who is Thunder for?
Venture backable startups or venture funds raising capital from accredited investors, VC funds, LPs, funds of funds, & family offices. While we are US focused, companies from all geographies are welcome to join.
Why Should I use Thunder?
Thunder saves you time, money, and headache.
“Raising capital is a full-time job” is a phrase we've all heard before. Doesn’t matter if you’re the next Airbnb or just getting off the ground, raising capital is a grind. Thunder’s technology and team of experts minimize the guesswork in the fundraising process by narrowing down who is actually capable and willing to invest capital into your offering at the time you’re raising. Our AI takes into account 85 points of data to determine these insights and allows you to focus your efforts on a select list of investors. Once that list is identified through Thunder, the Thunder team will leverage our relationships with those investors to make warm intros for you. Thunder’s team then helps you prepare for your meetings and supports your entire fundraising process to make it as successful as possible.
Is my information confidential?
- Yes. You control what information is viewable by who. There are no public profiles, users must have a login in order to view profiles and only your basic profile overview data is accessible by our investor network until both parties opt-in for a match.
- For investors, your profile is only visible to companies that you opt-in to connect with. Founders/GPs raising capital do not have access to investor/VC contact information unless they approve the connection in advance.
- For founders, you can publish your profile and the information is available to our verified investor network for them to request a match. However, company data rooms, traction, and other proprietary information are only visible to investors you choose to share it with, helping protect your data.
Will I be able to contact investors directly through Thunder?
If you're raising money, you must first submit your profile for review and sign an engagement letter prior to being able to see who your matches are.
From there, a Thunder team member will review the recommended matches with you and will reach out to the investors personally confirming their interest in your firm.
Once an investor agrees to match with a company/firm, then contact information will be shared and you'll be able to communicate with them.
We take our network of investors and founders very seriously and work hard on protecting all relationships to save everyone time and hassle.
Who is on Thunder?
Investors, funds of funds, family offices, LPs, Founders, and Venture Capital firms. They all opt-in to join Thunder for the opportunity to match with the right opportunities. Each of them provides their company/firm/investment information in exchange for quality matches. The information on Thunder is entered by real people and not scraped off other databases, then that information is verified for accuracy by the Thunder team. This means that when you match there is a real person on the other side who is familiar with Thunder and has opted in to take a meeting with you.
What does Thunder do with my data?
Data collecting on Thunder is used to identify relevant connections to help facilitate a deal from start to close. As of now, that is the sole purpose of the data we collect. Data is not sold or shared with any 3rd parties.
If I match, does that mean I will get an investment?
No. Thunder does not guarantee you’ll get an investment, but it does mean you’ll be matched with investors that are more likely to invest in you. Just keep in mind all investors are different and they are sourcing countless deals and only make a few investments.
Thunder helps make sure to put your best foot forward and present your company or fund in the best light to each investor to improve your chances to get an investment.
How much does Thunder cost?
Thunder is free for founders to apply to the network. VCs then have the ability to reach out to you directly if they feel you're a fit.
If you wish to unlock your matches and contact VCs directly through the platform saving you a ton of time and accelerating your fundraising efforts, then you can upgrade to Premium Access for a fee of $500.
Is there a money-back guarantee?
Yes, for any founder that upgrades to Premium Access, will be required to have a consultation session with our team to make sure their profile is optimized to successfully raise capital. On that call, your matches will be unlocked and reviewed. If our team decides that we can't deliver you value or that you don't meet our venture backable requirements, we will immediately refund you after that call.
If you feel within 3 days of that consultation the matches we provided our inaccurate, or irrelevant to your business and would like a refund, you can email help@thunder.vc requesting a refund. You'll receive a full refund if you have not contacted any of those recommended VCs and we agree with the results not being relevant.
Investor FAQs
Have a question that you don't see answered? Don't hesitate to reach out to help@thunder.vc
Who is Thunder designed for?
- Venture Funds: VCs Thunder to access a broader range of deal flow, keep track of emerging sectors, and discover vetted, high-quality opportunities aligned with their investment strategies.
- Family Offices: Thunder acts as their due diligence and deal flow arm, providing access to direct investment opportunities without fees, making it easier to invest in direct deals.
- High Net-Worth Individuals: Thunder helps HNWIs discover innovative founders and projects that align with their interests and strategic goals.
How does Thunder work for investors?
- Active Engagement: Upload your investment thesis and criteria to the platform. Thunder then connects you with relevant opportunities based on your preferences.
- Passive Engagement: Thunder delivers fewer, highly-tailored, and vetted deals directly to you, focusing on quality and fit.
What types of companies and deals are on Thunder?
Thunder predominantly works with B2B and B2C technology companies, spanning software and hardware. Deal stages range from pre-seed to pre-IPO. For companies that Thunder works with, transaction sizes usually range from $5M to $50M.
How does Thunder help with due diligence?
Thunder ensures that the companies presented to investors are "transaction-ready," meaning all key information is packaged and easily accessible. This approach minimizes back-and-forth and makes for a smoother investment process.
How does Thunder make money?
While all tools and services are free for investors, Thunder charges issuers (companies raising capital) a small transaction fee when a deal closes.
Is Thunder a registered broker-dealer?
How do I get started?
Simply create a profile, upload your investment thesis, and start browsing or receiving matched deals. Once you find an opportunity that interests you, connect directly with the founder to learn more and begin the investment conversation.
How do Thunder's algorithms work?
Thunder uses proprietary algorithms to match investors with opportunities based on their investment thesis and preferences. These algorithms prioritize quality and relevance, helping you find the right deals faster.
What sets Thunder apart from other platforms?
- No Fees for Investors: Thunder offers free access to direct investments without any hidden charges.
- Tailored Deal Flow: Thunder delivers high-quality, vetted deals that align with your unique investment preferences.
- Streamlined Due Diligence: Companies on Thunder are ready to transact, saving investors time and effort.
What kind of communication should I expect from Thunder?
- Founder Outreach: Founders that match your thesis can send targeted outreach directly to you via our platform.
- Thunder Vetted Deals: Occasionally, we’ll send thoroughly diligenced, investment-ready deals to your email. These are high-quality opportunities vetted by our team.
How We Get Deals Scored
Company Scores
Match Scores & Quality Matches
- 75% of companies have at least one qualified match.
- 64% of companies have at least five qualified matches.
- 54% of companies have 15+ qualified matches.