> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.metal.so/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Getting Started

> A step-by-step process to set up Metal after account creation.

To gain access to the platform, users need to connect with our sales team and run through our onboarding process. Metal offers a 7-day trial for all users. The below visual lays out a step-by-step approach to getting started on Metal.

***

## New User Onboarding

Metal's onboarding runs across three structured calls, each building on the last. Users have the ability to skip calls and to jump ahead if preferred.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Demo Call — 15 to 30 minutes">
    The first demo call serves as a qualifying and introductory call to assess if Metal is the right fit for your needs.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Activation Call — 30 minutes">
    Prior to the activation call, our team sets up your account and walks you through platform capabilities to discover, qualify and organize your target investor list. Together, we set up your company profile, conduct investor discovery workflows, and build your target list using Metal's proprietary intelligence.

    To kick off onboarding, users are required to pay \$1 for a 7-day trial that converts into a paid subscription after the trial period.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Onboarding Call — 20 minutes">
    In the onboarding call, our team introduces you to advanced workflows to view relationship intelligence and to setup your investor CRM. Typically, the second onboarding call is scheduled 5–7 days after activation.
  </Step>
</Steps>

Founders who get the most value out of the onboarding process typically come to the second call after having set up their raise process on Metal.

***

## Setting Up the Platform

After getting access, our team walks you through the following specific steps to ensure that your account is set up the right way:

<video autoPlay muted loop playsInline src="https://mintcdn.com/metal-f0b44277/hz0RgLgxzDbCYf3A/videos/Getting-started--quickstart.mp4?fit=max&auto=format&n=hz0RgLgxzDbCYf3A&q=85&s=6d0141a1ce9b93c962a18dcbd336956e" data-path="videos/Getting-started--quickstart.mp4" />

<Steps>
  <Step title="Complete your company profile">
    Via the **Settings → Company Profile** section, founders can provide key details on what they are building. This allows our system to fully understand your specific operating space and improve the platform's performance.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Connect your email">
    Via the Settings → Network > Email section, founders can enable the platform to read their email contact book to power relationship intelligence.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Connect LinkedIn">
    Via the **Settings → Network > LinkedIn** section, founders can enable the platform to read your connections graph, and use that to power relationship intelligence.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add existing investors">
    Via the **Settings → Network → Existing Investors** section, founders can identify their existing investors, equipping the platform to identify investors that your existing investors can connect you with.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Warning>
  Skipping the email and LinkedIn integrations significantly limits Metal's ability to surface high-quality relationship intelligence and intro pathways.
</Warning>

***

## Key Workflows to Get Started

As part of the trial period, most founders get started with four basic workflows to get their raise setup the right way.

<Columns cols={2}>
  <Column>
    <Card title="(1) -- Build your target list" icon="album-collection">
      Using Content Signals, New Funds and AI Search, founders start by discovering and qualifying investors.
    </Card>
  </Column>

  <Column>
    <Card title="(3) -- Round strategy with Richard AI" icon="album">
      Our in-app agent is particularly useful for feedback and insights on pitch decks, round strategy or valuations.
    </Card>
  </Column>
</Columns>

<Columns cols={2}>
  <Column>
    <Card title="(2) -- Map warm intro paths" icon="address-card">
      Network provides a view into who within your network can introduce you to your shortlisted investors.
    </Card>
  </Column>

  <Column>
    <Card title="(4) -- Investor pipeline setup" icon="album-circle-plus">
      By bringing everything together into one place, founders can automate communications and track meetings.
    </Card>
  </Column>
</Columns>

Your account manager is available throughout the trial period. At all times, you can reach our team at [**support@metal.so**](mailto:support@metal.so) (or ask our in-app agent directly).

***