Learn how top VCs use Getro's Lists feature to transform their networks into actionable intelligence for portfolio companies. Real customer stories and actionable takeaway
Your network holds MASSIVE value—but only if you can actually use it when it matters.
This plays out every day, even at the biggest funds. The difference between average returns and exceptional ones often comes down to how effectively VCs mobilize their networks.
Let's break down how two of our power users are turning static connections into game-changing value for their portfolio companies using Getro's Lists feature.
Joe Burridge, Head of Talent at Play Ventures, shared something that blew me away:
Their lean team imported their LinkedIn connections into Getro—all 55,000 of them. Most of their team comes from gaming, giving them a MASSIVE resource of industry talent.
"We got all of Play Ventures to import their LinkedIn first connections into Getro. And I'm looking, and that is just shy of 55,000 contacts we have in there. Our company is, we've got people who... we're a lean but mighty team. The vast majority of us has come from games, so that's a really solid list of people in the games industry and in tech globally."
Here's their workflow:
The best part? This takes MINUTES, not weeks.
"I brought up a quick list. I think we had about 30 in that list. So I shared that list onto him and I was like, have a quick browse through there. I can intro you to all of them. Just let me know. And so [they] picked out three."
Why does this work so well? The ease of use and automation:
"If you are a recruiter and you're familiar with things like LinkedIn, it'll feel pretty similar. But I can go in and do a really specific search."
The founders' reaction says it all:
"Founders are just like, 'wow, this is awesome. Thank you.' It's very low hanging fruit."
For mid-level roles where they can't dedicate full recruiting bandwidth, they'll still:
"I always say to founders, 'Hey, I will definitely help you with that VP position, but at this like mid-level programmer, that's not best use of my time, but I will send you a list. I always want to do something. At least I'll write you the job description. I'll send you a list of people in our network. You let me know and I'll reach out to them.'"
This transforms their network from a static asset into a dynamic talent pipeline.
Chris Sisserian, Head of Platform at Manta Ray, based in London with just six team members shared how they stay connected to specialized ecosystems worldwide.
When they make an investment in a new geographic or industry niche—like a biotech deal in Austin—they immediately create a smart List for "Austin Biotech."
"If, let's say next month we do a biotech deal in Austin, Texas, now I care about the Texas biotech scene centered around Austin. And I'm sat here in London. I might try and go to Austin like once a year or something and give me a convenient excuse to go to South by Southwest or something. But fundamentally staying plugged into that is pretty hard."
The magic happens when they set up automated weekly email updates showing:
"One of those smart lists I would set up then is okay, Austin Biotech, who do we know there at a glance? And then I get the email updates. So once a week I get an email saying these are changes to that network."
What makes this so powerful is the automatic intelligence without any extra work:
"I can see people dropping in and out of that, which is pretty cool because, you might be at a biotech conference, you might be at JP Morgan in San Francisco. You might not be thinking about that one portfolio company you've got in Texas. Maybe you don't cover it within the fund, right? It's not your deal or whatever. It's your colleague's. It's not your priority that week, but you connect with someone."
The result? Value creation on autopilot:
"The person who is thinking about it gets that email like, 'oh, my colleague just connected with that person who says their LinkedIn thing is like Mr. or Mrs. Biotech of the Year based in Austin. Oh my god, you know that person. Let's connect them to our portfolio company and then bang, you've got a new board advisor or whatever' — super low effort, but a really easy way to keep tabs on what is going on within that wider network of the firm."
Your network is your BIGGEST untapped asset.
Think about it:
The funds crushing it right now aren't just larger—they're SMARTER about how they operationalize their networks.
Stop letting your connections sit idle. Start turning them into your fund's superpower.
Book a call with our team to see how you can put your network to work.