01 | Investor Targeting Research Prompts
Build Stronger Pipelines, Faster, Smarter.
“The challenge is to identify investors interested in our region or country. We need a highly tailored, data driven investor outreach platform to help us identify and approach investors with concise, accurate information to facilitate decision-making."
Survey Response - The 2026 Generative AI Survey for Investment Promotion Professionals
Skill Level Definitions
Our 2026 survey found most IPA professionals rate themselves as Competent Users - comfortable, but not yet getting the full value.
A quick reminder, here are the skill level definitions:
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"I'm just starting out and need guidance on when and how to use Generative AI." → Beginner
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"I can use simple prompts and get value, but I rely on templates and support." → Basic User
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"I use Generative AI regularly and can apply it effectively to multiple FDI tasks." → Competent User
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"I can structure complex prompts, iterate outputs, and integrate AI across workflows." → Advanced User
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"I can optimise prompts, evaluate outputs critically, and help others use AI effectively." → Expert / Power User
The following FDI workflow station includes prompts for three of these skill levels: Beginner, Competent User and Advanced User.
Investor Targeting Research Prompts
Why this matters:
Investor targeting research was rated the single most frustrating workflow in our 2026 survey.
BEGINNER LEVEL
[Market Analyst, Lead Generator, Investment Project Adviser]
Investor Expansion Snapshot
Generate a rapid company profile, growth overview and international expansion intelligence
"Act as an FDI research analyst. Research [Company Name], a [sector] company headquartered in [country].
Summarise: what they do, their size, and any recent news about international expansion."
COMPETENT USER LEVEL
[Analyst, Sector Team Leader, Investment Project Adviser]
Investor Opportunity Assessment
Assess investor attractiveness, strategic fit and recommended engagement approach.
"Act as a senior FDI research analyst working for [Investment Promotion Agency name].
Research the following target company:
Company: [Company Name]
Sector: [Sector]
Headquarters Country: [Country]
Website: [URL]
Our IPA value proposition is:
[Insert 2-3 sentence value proposition]
Your objective is to determine whether this company represents a credible foreign direct investment opportunity for our location and identify how the IPA should engage them.
Use publicly available information only and prioritise company websites, annual reports, investor presentations, press releases, executive interviews, earnings call transcripts, industry publications, trade media, recent news articles, and LinkedIn company information.
Analyse the company and provide:
1. Executive Summary
- One-paragraph assessment of investment attractiveness.
2. Company Snapshot
- Headquarters
- Sector
- Products/services
- Geographic footprint
- Key business indicators
3. International Growth Appetite Assessment
Identify evidence of:
- International expansion
- New market entry
- Facility investments
- Acquisitions
- Strategic partnerships
- Recruitment activity
- Capital investment programmes
For each indicator provide evidence and a confidence rating of High, Medium or Low.
4. Strategic Priorities & Investment Drivers
Summarise key company objectives, challenges and possible triggers for future investment decisions.
5. Location Fit Assessment
Compare the company's apparent needs against our IPA value proposition.
For each value proposition element:
- Explain the relevance
- Assess the strength of fit
- Provide supporting rationale
Provide an overall fit rating:
High / Medium / Low
6. Risks & Information Gaps
Identify uncertainties, missing information and any reasons the company may not currently be a strong prospect.
7. Tailored Outreach Talking Points
Provide three highly personalised talking points for an initial business development conversation.
8. Recommended IPA Next Step
Recommend a practical next action for the investment promotion team.
Clearly distinguish between facts, analysis and assumptions.
Do not speculate. If reliable evidence is unavailable, state "No reliable evidence found."
Flag anything you are not confident about so it can be independently verified."
.........
NOTES:
Relevant IPA KPIs
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Number of target companies identified
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Number of qualified investor leads
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Number of priority accounts researched
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Investor engagement conversion rate
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New investment projects generated
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Investment pipeline growth
FDI Value Benefits
This analysis helps the IPA:
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Prioritise high-potential investors.
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Improve targeting efficiency.
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Increase relevance of outreach.
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Reduce time spent on unsuitable prospects.
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Strengthen investor engagement.
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Generate more qualified investment opportunities.
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Improve conversion from research to active projects.
ADVANCED USER LEVEL
[In-market Lead Generator, Investment Director]
WORKFLOW PROGRESSION:
Prioritise - Qualify - Execute
PROMPT 1
Investor Portfolio Prioritisation
Identify, score and rank the investors most likely to deliver investment projects, jobs and economic impact
"Act as a senior FDI research analyst and investment strategy consultant.
I am uploading a dataset containing [number] companies operating within [sector].
Our IPA value proposition is:
[Insert value proposition]
Evaluate every company against the following criteria:
1. Likelihood of international expansion within 24-36 months.
2. Strategic fit with our location.
3. Potential investment and job creation value.
Score each criterion from 1-5.
Use publicly available evidence wherever possible.
Explain scoring logic and confidence levels.
Provide:
• Executive summary
• Scoring methodology
• Ranked company table
• Top 10 priorities
• Top 25 priorities
• Highest strategic fit companies
• Highest growth companies
• Highest economic impact companies
• Recommended next-step research priorities
Clearly distinguish facts from assumptions."
.........
NOTES:
Relevant IPA KPIs
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Qualified target accounts
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Priority companies identified
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Investor pipeline growth
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Research productivity
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Targeting accuracy
FDI Attraction Value Benefit
Enables the IPA to move from large undifferentiated target lists to a manageable set of high-potential investors.
PROMPT 2
Investor Readiness Assessment
Evaluate investment likelihood, location fit and engagement priorities for shortlisted investor prospects
"Continue acting as the senior FDI research analyst and investment strategy consultant..
Review the shortlisted companies identified during investor screening in more detail.
Assess each company's investment readiness and likelihood of choosing our location.
Analyse:
• Business growth trajectory
• Internationalisation plans
• Investment triggers
• Workforce requirements
• Real estate requirements
• Technology requirements
• Supply chain considerations
Create an Investor Readiness Scorecard supported by evidence.
Identify:
• Most likely investment drivers
• Potential barriers
• Critical intelligence gaps
• Recommended engagement strategy
Provide FDI consultant advice and answer:
1. What is our strongest investment proposition for this company?
2. What evidence are we missing?
3. Which assumptions need testing?
4. Why might this company choose a competing location instead?
Include coaching questions for the business development team."
.........
NOTES:
Relevant IPA KPIs
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Qualified leads
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Strategic accounts
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Pipeline conversion
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Investor meetings secured
FDI Attraction Value Benefit
Improves lead qualification quality and reduces pursuit of low-probability prospects.
PROMPT 3
Investor Targeting Strategy
Turn investor research into a practical action plan that prioritises opportunities, allocates resources and accelerates pipeline growth
"Act as a senior FDI strategy consultant advising the Investment Promotion Agency.
Review all outputs from investor screening and investor readiness assessment.
Develop a practical investor targeting strategy for the next quarter.
Recommend:
• Priority tiers
• Outreach priorities
• Business development resource allocation
• Executive engagement opportunities
• Partner introductions
• Sector targeting priorities
Identify:
• Quick wins
• Strategic bets
• Long-term opportunities
Produce:
1. Portfolio overview
2. Investor tiering framework
3. Quarterly action plan
4. Resource allocation recommendations
5. Outreach calendar
6. Risk assessment
Provide strategic consulting advice by answering:
• Where should we focus effort?
• What assumptions need testing?
• Which opportunities are most likely to convert?
• Which opportunities are most likely to create the greatest long-term economic impact?
Clearly distinguish evidence-based assessments from strategic recommendations."
.........
NOTES:
Relevant IPA KPIs
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Pipeline creation
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Investor meetings
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Qualified opportunities
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Pipeline value
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Investment wins
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Job creation potential
FDI Attraction Value Benefit
Turns research into action and ensures limited IPA resources are focused on the highest-return opportunities.
VERIFY
Validate critical insights before making investor targeting and business development decisions
AI can significantly accelerate investor targeting research, but all outputs should be verified using authoritative sources such as company websites, annual reports, investor presentations, press releases, and reputable business news.
Use AI-generated insights as hypotheses to investigate, not facts to act upon, and validate any high-priority targets, assumptions, or low-confidence findings before making business development decisions.
