Cortado Ventures
Lyonshare partnered with Cortado for fundraising preparation and in tandem built a distinctive, founder-friendly brand system that feels warm and regional without sacrificing the polish and credibility expected of an institutional investment firm.
Services
Investor Decks
Brand Identity
Website
Fundraising Conferences
Tearsheets
Our Approach
Challenge
Cortado was preparing to raise Fund II and needed investor materials that could hold up in institutional LP meetings. They wanted to get more strategic and intentional with their materials and were ready to level up from Fund I. With a name tied closely to coffee culture, the visual identity also had to be upgraded to avoid literal references that could undermine credibility with allocators.
Solution
Lyonshare overhauled the investor deck then designed a cohesive brand system to carry it forward. The deck paired deep strategy (thesis articulation, value-add narrative, track record framing) with custom slides that made complex concepts land visually and closed an $80M oversubscribed Fund II. We further extended into a website, tearsheets, and conference materials, and are supporting Fund III and more.
We have clean, clear materials that make it easy for investors to quickly understand who we are. The process is faster and smoother as we now show up as we are, a top VC in the midcontinent region. Lyonshare understands our industry and that shows. They’re fast, thoughtful, and great at explaining the “why” behind their recommendations. Plus, they’re just good people. It felt more like collaborating with friends than hiring a vendor. We walked away with assets that truly represent us, save us time, and connect us with the right investors. We’ve seen an increase in investor engagement and faster turnaround in conversations, Lyonshare absolutely delivered.
Head of Marketing, Cortado Ventures