After creating or refining your ICPs, you'll need to populate them with actual companies that match those profiles. Eve provides multiple methods for finding and adding companies.
When Eve creates an ICP, it automatically researches and includes 10 sample companies that match the ICP criteria. These initial companies serve as:
Proof that the ICP targeting works
Starting point for outreach
Examples of what good-fit companies look like
However, 10 companies isn't enough for substantial outreach. You'll want to add more companies to build a robust pipeline.
Method 1: Research More Companies (Automatic)
The primary method for adding companies to an ICP is using Eve's automated research.
Steps:
Navigate to the ICP you want to add companies to
Scroll to the Companies section
Click "Research 5 More" or "Research 10 More"
Eve will search for additional companies matching your ICP criteria
Wait 2-5 minutes while Eve researches (time varies based on number requested)
New companies appear in your company list with match scores
How This Works:
Eve searches its database of 700+ million profiles and companies
Applies your ICP's match criteria, industry insights, location, and size requirements
Scores each potential company based on fit
Returns the highest-scoring companies
Researches each company for intent signals and relevant information
Capacity Limits:
Growth Plan: Research up to 100 companies total across all ICPs
Pro Plan: Research unlimited companies
Once you reach your plan limit (Growth), you'll need to upgrade to add more companies or delete existing companies to make room.
Method 2: Add Specific Company by Domain
If you know a specific company you want to target, you can add it directly by domain.
Steps:
Navigate to the ICP you want to add the company to
In the Companies section, look for "Add Company" or "Add by Domain"
Enter the company's website domain (e.g., "acmecorp.com")
Click "Add" or "Research Company"
Eve researches the company, scores it, and adds it to your ICP
When to Use This:
You have a target account list from your CRM or sales team
You've identified specific companies through networking or research
You want to add high-value accounts even if they weren't surfaced automatically
You're doing account-based marketing (ABM) with pre-selected targets
Method 3: AI Lead Search
For broader company discovery beyond your pre-defined ICPs, use AI Lead Search (covered in detail in a separate section).
AI Lead Search allows you to:
Find companies based on custom criteria not tied to an ICP
Cast a wider net across industries and segments
Import your own company lists
Companies found through AI Lead Search can be added to campaigns directly without being part of an ICP.
Strategic Considerations:
For Testing (Initial Campaigns):
Add 20-30 companies to validate ICP and messaging
Ensures quick testing without over-committing
For Ongoing Prospecting:
Add 100-300 companies per active ICP
Provides sufficient pipeline for several months of outreach
For Scale:
Add 500+ companies when you've proven ICP/messaging fit
Supports high-volume outreach and large teams
Practical Approach:
Start with initial 10 companies
Add 20-30 more to reach ~40 total
Launch test campaigns
If performance is strong, add 100-200 more
Continue adding as needed based on campaign velocity
How Long Does Research Take?
5 companies: 1-2 minutes
10 companies: 2-5 minutes
20 companies: 5-10 minutes
Eve is conducting deep research on each company, including:
Validating company exists and matches criteria
Analyzing company information and situation
Identifying and scoring intent signals
Calculating match scores
Finding relevant personas and contacts
This thorough research takes time but ensures high-quality targeting.
Distribution Strategy:
If you have 3 ICPs and are on the Growth Plan (100 company limit):
Option 1: Focus approach - 70 companies in top ICP, 20 in second, 10 in third
Option 2: Balanced approach - 30-35 companies per ICP
Option 3: Test approach - 30 companies in top 3 ICPs, leaving room for adjustments
Recommendation: Front-load companies in your highest-potential ICP. Better to have depth in one great ICP than shallow coverage across all ICPs.
Q: How many companies can I add total? A:
Growth Plan: 100 companies maximum across all ICPs
Pro Plan: Unlimited companies If you hit your limit on Growth, you'll need to upgrade to Pro or delete existing companies to make room.
Q: Can I add the same company to multiple ICPs? A: No. Each company can only exist in one ICP at a time. If you try to add a company that's already in another ICP, you'll see a notification. If a company truly fits multiple ICPs, choose the most relevant one or create more specific ICPs to reduce overlap.
Q: What if Eve can't find companies that match my ICP criteria? A: This indicates criteria may be too restrictive. Try:
Broadening location (e.g., expand from one state to entire region)
Widening company size range
Removing very specific fit criteria
Using AI Lead Search with custom parameters If you continue having issues, your target market may be very niche, or criteria need adjustment.
Q: How does Eve prioritize which companies to surface when I click "Research 10 More"? A: Eve prioritizes companies by:
Match score: Higher-scoring companies surface first
Relevance: Strongest alignment with your ICP criteria
Data completeness: Companies with more available information
Novelty: Companies not already in your other ICPs This ensures you get the best-fit companies each time you research more.
Q: Can I remove companies from an ICP if they're not a good fit? A: Yes. Find the company in your ICP's company list, click the three dots or actions menu, and select "Remove" or "Delete." This frees up space (on Growth Plan) and declutters your company list. Remove companies that are clearly poor fits to maintain targeting quality.
Q: If I delete companies, can I get them back? A: Not automatically. Once deleted, they're removed from your ICP. However, you can re-add them by domain if you remember which companies they were, or they may surface again when you research more companies (if they meet criteria). Be thoughtful before deleting.
Q: What's the difference between researching companies through ICPs vs. AI Lead Search? A:
ICP Research: Finds companies matching your pre-defined ICP criteria. Organized within your ICP framework. Best for structured, repeatable targeting.
AI Lead Search: More flexible, ad-hoc searching based on custom criteria. Not tied to ICPs. Best for one-off searches or broader exploration. Both methods ultimately feed leads into campaigns.
Q: How often should I add new companies to my ICPs? A: Add companies based on campaign velocity:
High velocity (50+ new leads/week in campaigns): Add 50-100 companies monthly
Medium velocity (20-50 leads/week): Add 30-50 companies monthly
Low velocity (< 20 leads/week): Add 10-30 companies monthly Monitor your company "pipeline" to ensure you don't run out of prospects to target.
Q: Can I import my own list of companies instead of having Eve research them? A: Yes, through AI Lead Search you can import your own contact lists with company information. Eve will research and score those companies. This is useful if you have target account lists from your CRM, trade shows, or other sources.
Q: What if I disagree with a company's match score? A: Match scores are Eve's assessment based on your ICP criteria and GTM profile. If you believe a company is actually a great fit despite a lower score, you can still find leads there and add them to campaigns. Use your judgment—match scores are guidance, not absolute rules. If many scores seem off, consider refining your ICP criteria or GTM profile.
Q: Why do some companies appear faster than others when researching? A: Research speed varies based on:
Data availability: Some companies have more public information than others
Company complexity: Larger, more complex companies take longer to research
Intent signal identification: Finding and scoring signals adds time Companies with rich public profiles research faster than private, smaller companies with limited online presence.
