Should you show up to events hosted by portfolio companies? My default piece of advice to other investors is simple: Of course.
If I get an invitation from a company or founder, I say "yes" without hesitation.
Especially now, showing up in person carries significant weight. It allows you to get valuable face time with both the founders and employees of a company. These informal settings often reveal insights about company culture and momentum that you'd never capture on a scheduled call.
Spending time in-person with founders builds an invaluable form of trust. This trust carries even more weight in an age where it's so easy to work entirely remote and hide behind a screen.
The conversations that happen during these events—the casual asides, the quick introductions, the unexpected connections—often lead to opportunities that would never materialize otherwise.
Yes, it takes time. Yes, it requires effort. But consistently showing up is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to demonstrate your commitment as an investor.
Your presence speaks volumes about your investment in their success—far beyond the capital you've provided.