I spent years messaging Cyan Banister on X and getting nothing back.
Then I tried something different. Instead of asking for her time, I offered to cast her as an Undercover VC on my show, Going Public.
She responded within 24 hours.
Cyan is a Partner at Long Journey Ventures, which just closed a $181M Fund IV, and one of the most iconic early-stage investors of her generation.
Seed investor in Uber, SpaceX, DeepMind, and Postmates. She has seen everything, and she does not say yes to things she does not want to do.
Season 3 of Going Public streamed on X and cleared 100 million views. Cyan showed up, held her own at the poker table against Phil Hellmuth, and was a total natural on camera.
She is now an investor in Crush Capital, our studio behind the show.
The takeaway for every founder trying to reach an investor, partner, or customer who keeps going dark: stop asking for their time, and start giving them something worth showing up for.
Sometimes the best door opener is not a knock.
It's an invitation.