# VC scout program software built into your founder portal

> Scout links are planned for a later Delsivo release; private referral links are part of the pilot intake. The later design turns your portal into VC scout program software: each scout gets a personal link, applications through it are attributed to them, attribution survives duplicate merges, and scouts see only the fields your fund chooses to share about the deals they sent.

Source: https://delsivo.com/features/scout-and-referral-links · Updated 2026-11-06 · Planned, not available yet

## Key takeaways

- Private referral links are in the pilot. Personal scout links and relationship attribution are planned for a later release.
- Each scout gets their own link on your branded portal.
- Attribution is kept when an analyst merges duplicate applications.
- Scouts see only the fields your fund chooses, never internal ratings or notes.

## Referral links today, scout links later

|  | Private referral link (pilot) | Scout link (later) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Purpose | A private way in for a founder you invited | A standing link for a scout who sends deals |
| Where it lives | Your branded portal | Your branded portal |
| Attribution | The deal records how it arrived | The deal records which scout sent it, kept through merges |
| What the referrer sees | Nothing in Delsivo | Only the fields your fund chooses to share |

## What VC scout program software needs to get right

- Credit: the scout who introduced a company should keep the credit even if the founder also applied through the public form.
- Privacy: a scout shouldn't see your ratings, notes or why you passed unless you choose to tell them.
- Same process: scouted deals go through the same rubric and queue as everything else, labelled with their source.
- Reporting: conversion by intake source shows which scouts send deals that progress.

## How a scouted deal flows

1. Your admin creates a scout link for a named scout.
2. A founder applies through it on your portal. The application is the same form, with the scout recorded as the source.
3. If the company already applied, duplicate detection suggests a merge. The analyst confirms, and the referral history is preserved.
4. The deal is screened against your thesis like any other.
5. The scout sees the status fields you allowed, such as Received or In review.

## Open questions for design partners

Scout economics differ widely between funds, so the later design deliberately leaves carry, fees and scout agreements outside Delsivo. Whether scouts get their own sign-in or only email updates will be decided with design partners. Planned details may change.

## Frequently asked questions

### Can I give scouts a link in the pilot?

The pilot has private referral links, which you can hand to anyone. Named scout links with attribution and scout-visible status are planned for a later release.

### Do scouted deals skip screening?

No. They go through the same thesis rubric and review queue, labelled with their source so your team can weigh the introduction.

### Can scouts see why a deal was passed?

Not unless your fund chooses to share that field. Scout visibility is limited to the fields you pick.

### Does Delsivo pay scouts or track carry?

No. Scout agreements, fees and carry stay outside Delsivo.

## Related pages

- [Branded application portal](https://delsivo.com/features/branded-subdomain)
- [Duplicate startup applications](https://delsivo.com/features/duplicate-detection)
- [Track VC referrals](https://delsivo.com/use-cases/scout-and-referral-deal-flow)
- [White-label portals](https://delsivo.com/white-label-portals)