Writing an Effective Crunchbase Profile in 2020
Technology startup and venture capital funding have not slowed down in 2020; in fact, these business activities have only increased in recent years. Wall Street investors often profess their predilection for the so-called FAANG stocks, which stand for Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Netflix, and Google, five companies that exemplify everything that is right about the marriage of technology and venture capital investments.
If you are associated with a technology business or a venture capital firm, your online presence should be expressed through the trilogy of Twitter, LinkedIn, and Crunchbase. Twitter is the social network for breaking news, trends, and important announcements. LinkedIn has always been the ultimate network for modern business networking. As for Crunchbase, even though it offers a few social networking features, it is more akin to a business directory for players in the technology and venture capital investing.
Crunchbase started off as an online database to track the performance of tech startups, but it has drawn to include information about the investors whose funding and vision helped companies thrive in an extremely competitive field. As a venture capital professional, it is in your best interest to be listed on Crunchbase. A profile in this directory is more than just a data point; it can also provide useful information about the insight and investment philosophies of individuals. Many tech startup founders have successfully matched up with investors after browsing through Crunchbase.
Professional Profiles on Crunchbase
Complete information is the most important aspect of a Crunchbase listing. Similar to Google My Business, getting the most out of your profile involves completely filling out every field. If you want your Crunchbase listing to have search engine optimization characteristics that will be noticed by the Google search crawler, you must fill out all fields, particularly those that will be displayed on the Crunchbase overview section.
With the above in mind, take a look at this executive’s profile for an angel investor. Since Crunchbase is a business directory, things start off with cold, hard numbers that a portfolio provides. List all companies in your investment portfolio, particularly those that are already listed on Crunchbase, and don’t forget about including successful exits.
Since the web in the 21st century is a highly visual information platform, you should include an image on your profile. If you are not comfortable with a photo, you can use a drawing or a cartoon; if you operate as a business or brand, you can post the logo instead, but keep in mind that this is a personal profile.
The resume information on your Crunchbase profile should be written in narrative form. The templates on LinkedIn are more ideal for recruiters and HR professionals; you will want to write a short bio for Crunchbase. The investments section is similar to the overview in the sense that it is all business; this is where you list the names of the companies and brands you funded along with the amounts you raised.
Work history is also important to list. Even if you started off as an investor right out of school, don’t be afraid to list any side jobs you may have had in the meantime, especially if they are related to your investment philosophy. Finally, don’t forget to list all your college degrees including continuing education.