Pick the right taxonomy label before pitching — broad industry, buyer-defined vertical, or emerging space.
Industry vs Vertical vs Emerging Space
How founders should label a company so the right VCs show up.
| Dimension | Industry (broad) | Vertical (buyer/workflow) | Emerging space |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it answers | Where capital pools sit | Who buys and why | Why now / new category |
| Example label | Fintech — financial technology | Insurance — insurtech workflow | AI underwriting — model-native insurance |
| Best for pitching | Directory filter → fund shortlist | Partner matching — thesis fit in first line | Narrative risk — needs proof of category |
| VCT next step | Directory sector tags + related posts | Sector-tagged /fund/* profiles | Comparable deal posts |
Audience: founder, investor · Category: fundraising
Tags: industry, vertical, taxonomy, fundraising