Whisper List FAQ: Rankings, Scores, and Updates
Get answers about Whisper Scores, ranking updates, locations, functions, and how to use the lists to find the right VC intros.
What is the Whisper List?
Whisper List is the world's first data-driven ranking of Venture Capital (VC) investors based on the strength of their professional networks, rather than traditional metrics like investment returns or volume. It ranks VCs by how well-connected they are to specific operator personas (e.g., Finance, Marketing, Engineering) in key regions (e.g., New York, SF Bay Area), helping founders identify the investors who can open doors and make targeted introductions.
How is Whisper List different from other VC rankings?
Traditional VC rankings, such as the Midas List or NFX's Signal, typically rank VCs based on investment returns, the number of investments, or the amount of capital deployed. Whisper List differentiates itself by ranking VCs purely on the strength and relevance of their network. This approach is more tangible for founders, as it helps them understand exactly who is most connected to the people they are trying to reach, sell to, or hire.
What value does the Whisper List provide to founders and operators?
It allows founders and operators to shortlist investors based on real-world network relevance. This helps you target the most connected VCs for warm introductions to leaders in Finance, Marketing, Engineering, Product, Sales, People/HR, or Design within your target market, thereby accelerating fundraising, hiring, and go-to-market strategies.
What does “Investors who open doors” mean?
These are VCs with strong, relevant networks connected to the exact operators you need in a given market—such as CFOs in New York or Heads of Engineering in the SF Bay Area. They are best positioned to provide warm introductions for sales, diligence, hiring, or partnerships.
How are the VC rankings calculated (the Whisper Score)?
Rankings are determined using the proprietary Whisper Score, which calculates a VC’s qualifying connections to a target persona within a target region. While the exact methodology is not disclosed to prevent manipulation, the system is laser-focused on identifying connections to decision-makers, taking into account the seniority of the connection and several other proprietary factors. Public lists include investors who meet a minimum connection threshold and are presented as top lists (e.g., Top 10, Top 25) for that segment.
What is a “qualifying connection” in the Whisper Score?
It is a connection (currently utilizing LinkedIn data) to a target persona in the specified region that passes rules-based filters. These filters are designed to include genuine decision-makers and exclude non-decision roles, focusing on the relevance of the role and geography.
Do you measure relationship strength or recency?
In the current version (v1), all qualifying connections are generally counted equally. The product roadmap includes enhancements such as relationship strength weighting, recency weighting, and multi-platform data integration to improve accuracy and utility over time.
How did you choose which VCs’ networks to score?
We began by compiling a list of the top 350 VC funds globally and mapped the senior-level leaders at each one. We then selected a representative subset of those VCs for the initial lists, focusing on key markets like the New York City Metro Area and the SF Bay Area. We are methodically expanding to cover more departments, sectors, and geographies worldwide.
Which locations and functions (categories) do you cover?
We are rolling out coverage methodically. Current rankings spotlight key markets such as New York, NY, and the San Francisco Bay Area, CA, as well as broader regions like the United States and Israel. Functions covered include Finance, Marketing, Operations, Engineering, Product, Sales, People/HR, and Design. We are rapidly expanding to other geographies.
Will you rank VCs by industry network (e.g., FinTech, DeepTech)?
Yes, we are actively working on building out rankings by industry sector. We are looking for VCs to partner with us on this initiative. If you are interested in collaborating, please reach out to us at [email protected].
Are you only focused on VCs, or will you expand beyond that?
Currently, we are focused on VCs. However, we plan to expand to other groups, including angel investors and eventually leaders of functional areas (e.g., CROs, CMOs, VPs of Sales). This supports the thesis that understanding the strength of an executive's network is crucial during the hiring process.
How often are the rankings updated?
The site currently features the “2025 Rankings Live.” Rankings are produced as quality-controlled snapshots and are updated periodically rather than in real-time.
How do I find the best-connected VCs or search for a specific VC?
To find the best-connected VCs for your needs, visit the Rankings page, select your desired location and function (e.g., New York | Finance; San Francisco Bay Area | Engineering), and open the full list. You can also use the site’s search functionality to look up any VC by name.
Why is a specific VC missing from a list?
A VC might be missing if they do not meet the minimum qualifying connection threshold for that specific list, do not fit the currently covered regions or functions, or if there is insufficient public data available to score them accurately in that segment.
I’m a VC. How can I get scored or improve my standing?
If you don't see your name, the fastest way to get your network mapped is to use the search box on the site to add your name and sign up for Whisper List (via Draftboard). To improve your standing, ensure your professional profiles accurately reflect your roles and regions, and focus on strengthening relevant connections to target personas in key markets.
What is Draftboard and who built Whisper List?
Whisper List was built by the team at Draftboard and is a product of Draftboard. Draftboard is redefining Go-To-Market (GTM) for the AI age; it’s a product that maps all possible paths to your prospects from your existing professional network and scores the strength of each connection, so you know who is best positioned to make a warm introduction.
Why was Whisper List created?
We built Whisper List as a proof of concept to demonstrate the significant value that comes from having a strong network, and how Draftboard's technology can be used to leverage that network to achieve business goals. Founders know this value better than anyone and use the list to identify the investors best connected to their targets.
Can I get introductions through Draftboard?
Yes. Sign up for Draftboard and use the extension to map your own network, see your Whisper Score, and identify the best paths for introductions to the VCs and operators who matter most for your goals.
I see an error in the data. How do I report it?
For any errors, please go to the Contact Us section of the website and let us know. We aim to fix inaccuracies as soon as possible.
Are my connections public or visible?
No! We only show aggregate data, we will NEVER show who you're connected to.