What to share, how often, and how to build real investor relationships

“Startups that share clear, regular updates build trust and unlock stronger investor engagement over time.” – Eslini Ventures

For early-stage founders, capital relationships start before the pitch. How you first connect with investors, and how you stay visible between rounds, has long-term implications, well beyond closing a single raise.

Still, the tactical questions remain challenging: Is there such a thing as over-communicating? When should you start reaching out and how? Do investors actually read newsletters, or do they expect direct calls? Are scientific conferences the right venue for building relationships, or do they signal you're not ready? How about cold calls vs warm introductions?

Rainer Christine, Managing Partner, Earlybird Venture Capital

Rainer Christine is Managing Partner at Earlybird Venture Capital, where he works with biotech and medtech founders building from first data through to growth. Before becoming an investor, he was CEO and Co‑Founder of amaxa AG / amaxa Inc., a German biotech tools company, best known for its Nucleofector® technology, which enabled highly efficient transfection of difficult-to-transfect cells for research and therapeutic applications. He eventually sold the company with 180 FTE to Lonza. Earlybird was one of amaxa’s seed investors.

He currently serves on the boards of Sense Biodetection, Oviva, Noscendo, CryoTherapeutics, and AYOXXA Biosystems, and is a private investor in Biofidelity and Samplix. Rainer’s track record spans scientific platforms, clinical-stage companies, and diagnostics. 

Rainer's operating experience shapes how he advises founders on communication and investor alignment—not just during a raise, but across the venture lifecycle.

Why this is relevant for you

 For early-stage life science ventures, funding decisions often come down to a VC’s conviction in your judgment and leadership potential, especially when data is still emerging. Communication isn’t just about keeping investors informed, it signals HOW you lead.

McKinsey’s research on biotech innovation emphasizes that early alignment with investors is critical to navigating uncertainty and scaling effectively. Yet many founders delay outreach or rely on one-size-fits-all updates that miss the opportunity to create meaningful engagement.

We will discuss:

• How early is too early to start engaging with VCs

• What investors actually want in early-stage updates

• Personal calls vs. newsletters: how to choose based on audience

• Whether scientific conferences are viable venues for strategic investor relationship-building

• Signs you may be over-communicating or not communicating enough

Questions to think about before the session

• What is your communication strategy between rounds and does it reflect your leadership priorities?

• Are you tailoring your updates to the stage and type of investor, or defaulting to a generic format?

• Are you being remembered for clarity and conviction—or just noise?

This session will explore how to make investor communication a deliberate, strategic function of early-stage leadership.