As if writing a business plan and sorting out the tiny details of a start-up isn't tough enough, getting a meeting with a venture capitalist or other investor can be nearly impossible—unless you know the right person. But if you're like most entrepreneurs, you probably don't have a rolodex full of VCs or angels at your fingertips.

Here's the good news: someone you know actually might have a great connection. As it turns out, the average person is now separated by just three degrees within a "shared interest" group according to a new study by French mobile carrier O2, according to TechCrunch. While it may sound far-fetched, the data doesn't lie:

"O2 asked adults across three different age groups - 18-25, 35-45, 55 - to make contact with random strangers from areas all across the globe using only personal connections. By linking their shared interests, the participants were able to connect to that person in three person-to-person links."

What this means is that you may be closer than you think to someone how has a relationship with that venture capitalist or other investor you want to pitch—and having a referral from them could be your ticket to a meeting. What it also means is that we're three degrees from Brad Pitt. Sweet.